Arsenal vs Sheffield United

Arsenal learned a valuable lesson when playing Watford at Vicarage Road on Tuesday - and that lesson is not to underestimate an underdog fighting for survival. And, at Brammal Lane on Saturday afternoon, the Gunners will be in for a similarly rough ride against the relegation-threatened Sheffield United.

Neil Warnock's men are odds-on across the board to return to the Coca-Cola Championship next term, but if they go, they will go fighting. And if Arsenal perform as poorly on Saturday as they did for the most part against Watford in the aforementioned fixture, then the rough ride could get pretty turbulent in Yorkshire this weekend.

For all Arsenal?s finesse ? and they are arguably they most entertaining side around when at the top of their game ? they are often found wanting when it comes to a back-alley brawl against lesser opponents. Players like Aleksandr Hleb and Tomas Rosicky, hugely talented though they are, have yet to fully embrace the physical aspect of the Premiership.

The Blades were cut to ribbons by Arsene Wenger?s men at the Emirates Stadium in September, but we all know that the Gunners are a far better outfit when playing at their new home than they are on the road. And the burning question is what mindset will Arsenal approach this game with? Will they be up for it? They weren?t against Watford.

Although Sheff Utd were eventually beaten by a goal to nil against Man City on Boxing Day, they deserved to get something from that match. Indeed, they fought tooth or nail and it was purely a case of Lady Luck deserting them on the day more than anything ? and it wasn?t until the 78th minute that they finally succumbed to the Citizens.

Sheff Utd have managed to win three of their last six fixtures, and Bolton, Liverpool and Man Utd have all left Bramall Lane knowing that they?ve had a game so far this season. In essence, Warnock?s warriors don?t frighten easily, and Arsenal will have the kitchen sink thrown at them in this encounter.

That said, they?ll find it hard to turn the Gunners over. The most I can see their tenacity earning them is a point. And I expect them to achieve this, largely because of Arsenal?s inauspicious form on their travels. As such, my advice is to opt for the draw in the match result market at 33/10 with VCbet, which rates pretty good value in my book.

Verdict - 2.50pts draw in the match result market @ 33/10 (VCBet)