Arsenal v Portsmouth

Arsenal demolished Portsmouth at Highbury - beating the south coast side 4-0 in a first-half blitz that left the visitors utterly perplexed. The Gunners are firing on all cylinders at present. A 4-0 hammering of Fulham was interspersed with a Champions League triumph over Spanish giants Real Madrid - and victories against Liverpool and Charlton followed, thumping Alan Curbishley's men 3-0 in the latter match. Portsmouth have conceded a whopping 34 goals in their sixteen away matches, but have fared better at home, conceding half that amount in fourteen games. However, in those fourteen games, Harry Redknapp's charges have netted just ten goals - a home-goals-for record that is bettered by all other than Sunderland - and for this reason Pompey look poised for the drop. Although it takes a leap of faith to predict four goals in a match - especially when the home side are fighting for survival - I just wander how much resistance a Portsmouth side devoid of much substance can put up against an Arsenal side desperate to overhaul their north London arch-enemies, Spurs, for that coveted fourth spot in the league - the gateway to the Champions League promised land. Bearing this in mind, I cannot help but recommend a small bet on four in the total goals market, about which Bluesq are offering 13/2. In three of Arsenal's last four games won in all competitions, Thierry Henry has scored first and, to state the obvious, is a constant threat and always looks the most likely scorer for the Gunners. Indeed, the Frenchman has scored an impressive nineteen goals in twenty four Premiership matches this season and, at 7/2 with VCBet, I'd put my money where my mouth is back him to strike first on Saturday afternoon.