by Tom Allen
Everton left it very late to grab a point against a resolute Bolton side on
Wednesday evening but they should manage to extend their unbeaten run this
weekend and are well worth backing along with the draw in the double chance
market.
The Toffees face an Arsenal side on Sunday lunchtime arriving on the back of
a 2-0 win at Wolves, thanks to a brace from Marouane Chamakh, which kept the
Gunners in third place but, while the more likely winners, the visitors are on
the short side.
No bigger than a prohibitive 5/4 with Ladbrokes and Blue Square to win on
Merseyside, Arsenal need three points to stay on the coattails of Manchester
United and Chelsea at the top but I'm not sure they'll manage it and manager
Arsene Wenger would probably settle for a draw right now anyway.
Wenger saw his men bounce back with a crucial win in the West Midlands after
a shock defeat to Newcastle at The Emirates in their previous Premier League
outing but things won't be easy at Goodison Park and Everton are rarely, if
ever, rolled over.
It's a quite remarkable 36 matches since David Moyes saw his side succumb by
more than the odd goal in any top flight clash and, although Everton started
this campaign slowly once again, it is now seven unbeaten, too.
Much of Everton's rise up the table owes to the fine form of a formidable
midfield and Tim Cahill, in particular, has been right back to his very best of
late. The Australian goes from strength to strength and his five Premier League
strikes have been crucial given that Everton often find themselves without the
services of a recognised goal-scoring striker.
With Jermaine Beckford proving the hero on Wednesday with a spectacular late
long-range effort, it would be no surprise were he given the nod to play ahead
of Cahill but whichever striker, it's usually only one up front for Everton,
Moyes deploys is almost assured of more than decent service from the middle and
the home team will fancy their chances.
At 4/6 with William Hill, I rate Everton and the stalemate excellent value
and if, as anticipated, their two nearest rivals both prevail this the weekend
then the Gunners could find themselves facing an uphill task to haul themselves
back into the title race.
It's a pretty uninspiring weekend in the Premier league but there's value to
be had and elsewhere United look eminently backable at Villa Park.
I was impressed with the Red Devils in the goalless draw with rivals City at
Eastlands on Wednesday and if they can just add a cutting edge then I think Sir
Alex's side will be far too good for a depleted Villa outfit.
Gerrard Houllier has seen his squad decimated by significant injuries since
he took charge and his troops laboured to get the better of a Blackpool second
string in midweek. United, in contrast, dominated for large periods of their
clash and one goal could be enough to secure all three points.
Fergie's men have a terrific record at the home of Saturday's opponents in
the modern era and I expect them to be well-backed in the next 24 hours. The
17/20 with
888 Sport might not last long.
3pts Back Everton-Draw (vs. Arsenal) @ 4/6 (William
Hill)
