Premier League 
/ Feizal Rahman / 04 November 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Five in six. Nicolas Anelka has a fine scoring record against Blackburn.
"Opta highlight that Chelsea have now gone nine league games without a clean sheet and they were defensively inept against Arsenal last weekend."
Chelsea's trip to Blackburn should see plenty of net-bulging. Armed with betting expertise, Opta stats and sound insight, Feizal Rahman talks us through the pick of the wagers in two more of Saturday's non-televised matches.
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Arsenal [1.44], West Brom [9.0], The Draw [4.9]
On the back of five wins from seven in the league, Arsenal have gone from crisis to (Champions League places at least) contenders after their harrowing start to the campaign. At the Emirates, the Gunners have won seven games on the spin in all competitions, though only five of their last 10 in the league.
Having begun the season in dreadful fashion with four defeats from their first five, West Brom went on to steady the ship with just one loss in their next five. Surprisingly, Roy Hodgson's men have had a better record on the road this term with seven away points gained compared to only four at home.
Prior to a shock 3-2 win at the Emirates last season, West Brom could manage only a solitary point from four Premier League visits to Arsenal, conceding a total of 10 goals. However, Opta point out that the Baggies have failed to score themselves just once in this time.
Seven of the last 10 encounters between the sides, home or away, have resulted in at least three goals being scored - the last three fixtures producing a minimum of four. Opta also tell us there have been four goals scored in the opening 10 minutes of the last four league meetings.
Given Arsenal's continuing defensive frailties - just three clean sheets this season - Both Teams To Score looks a sound bet at [1.82], as is Over 3.5 Goals at around [2.7]. Backing the First Goal to be scored between 0-10 Minutes may also have some appeal at [3.8].
Aston Villa v Norwich City, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Aston Villa [1.91], Norwich [4.8], The Draw [3.7]
Despite only two league wins to their name this season, five draws from 10 games have allowed Aston Villa to remain in the top half of the table. At home, the trend continues with the Villans winning a total of six from 14 in 2011, drawing five and losing three.
Visitors Norwich currently sit a place and a point ahead of their hosts in the standings, belying their newly promoted status. Away from Carrow Road, Paul Lambert's squad have put in a handful of plucky performances and have averaged a point per game on their travels.
Opta reveal that at Villa Park, the two sides have one Premier League victory each with two draws - Villa winning the last encounter 3-0 back in 2005. Yet, this was the only the third time in the last eight meetings that the sides produced in excess of two goals.
While Villa have failed to find the net in just two of their previous 13 home league games, Norwich have also scored in all but two fixtures this term. Yet, with only two of the last 10 league games at Villa Park seeing in three strikes or greater, Under 2.5 Goals seems generous at [2.0].
As Opta inform us that Aston Villa have lost more points from winning positions than any other team in the Premier League this season, Aston Villa/Draw in the HT/FT market could pay dividends at [17.5], with a 1-1 Correct Score on offer at [7.6].
Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Blackburn [7.6], Chelsea [1.52], The Draw [4.6]
With only two points from their last five league games, Blackburn continue to languish in the relegation zone. A 4-3 win at home to Arsenal remains Rovers' solitary victory this season, otherwise crashing to four defeats at Ewood Park, with nine conceded and just two in response.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are suffering a mini-slump of their own with two straight league defeats and just two wins from five on the road this term. Captain John Terry is under heavy scrutiny both on and off the pitch and the experience of manager Andre Villas Boas has also been called into question.
Blackburn have picked up a meagre two points in their last ten meetings with Chelsea, home or away, failing to score in eight of those contests. At Ewood Park, Blackburn have lost eight of the last eleven contests and have been unable to find the net on five occasions.
Yet, Opta highlight that Chelsea have now gone nine league games without a clean sheet and they were defensively inept against Arsenal last weekend. Back a 1-2 and 1-3 Correct Score at [9.0] and [13.5] respectively, while Both Teams to Score trades at [1.73]. Over 3.5 Goals at [2.58] may tempt.
Opta note that Nicolas Anelka - [8.0] to be First Goalscorer - has hit five past Blackburn in six appearances for Chelsea. Branislav Ivanovic, meanwhile, scored in both meetings between the two sides last season and the Serbian should be around [9.0] To Score at any time.
Recommended Bets:
Arsenal v West Brom - Both Teams To Score @ [1.82]
Aston Villa v Norwich - Under 2.5 Goals @ [2.0]
Blackburn v Chelsea - Over 3.5 Goals @ [2.58]
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