Feel the Heat at the Emirates|
Only one Premier League match was played last weekend due to FA commitments so regular spread bettors on top flight matches will be relieved that there's a full fixture list this weekend. One game in particular stands out from a spread betting perspective - the Sunday afternoon clash between Arsenal and Manchester United. Before that crunch game Man City take on Portsmouth as Roberto Mancini looks to stake his claim for the fourth spot.
Buyers of Arsenal's spreads in recent matches will be well aware just how impressive the Gunners' run of form has been. They last lost in the league against Chelsea at the end of November. Those who bought Arsenal's season Championship Index, currently at 39 points (60pts for the winner, 40pts for runner-up, 30pts for third-place etc.), know the next few weeks are crucial to their season. In Sunday's match, buyers of the Gunners' win index will hope for a reverse of the 2-1 result at Old Trafford earlier in the season. Those looking to sell Arsenal's narrow supremacy spread will be aware that United have won three and drawn one of their last four meetings in all competitions. There is plenty to support the decision of spread buyers of the home side's supremacy too though, as the Gunners are unbeaten in their last four league meetings against United at home.
These two bitter rivals often provide fiery matches, so the Sporting Index traders will have to be on guard when pricing up the bookings index spread market. Spread buyers will have taken note of the match at Old Trafford in August that saw nine yellow cards dished out, including six for Arsenal players. Another spread market that may be of interest is the time of the first match goal. In the last nine league matches between these two sides it was 0-0 at half-time in six, although sellers of the spread will highlight the game in August in which Andrei Arshavin scored in the 40th minute.
The preceding match on Sunday afternoon is between Manchester City and Portsmouth. City have never lost to Portsmouth on home soil in all their meetings in the Premier League. The two sides have met six times and City have won four of the meetings. In fact, buyers of Pompey's win index will be dismayed that the club's last win at Man City was in 1963.
Goals have been a feature in recent fixtures when these sides have met in the league. Total goal buyers will recall the 6-0 thrashing that Pompey got in 2008, but sellers of the spread may recall the game at Eastlands two seasons prior that ended in a 0-0 stalemate. City have scored 26 home league goals this season and three of their last four league games have all seen three or more goals. Sporting Index's total goal minutes spread will be well considered by many, bearing in mind some high make-ups of late. City's last home league match against Portsmouth accumulated 319 goal minutes to the delight of punters that bought the spread that afternoon.
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