Arsenal vs Reading: Premier League betting

When Sky decided to televise Arsenal's home match against Reading this Saturday (12:45pm SS1) they probably thought that it would be a pivotal match in the title run-in. But although there is no longer silverware at stake, the Gunners can be trusted to take out their frustrations on Steve Coppell's men. Click here for a free £25 to bet on Arsenal vs Reading with Blue Square Arsenal have had a morale-crushing three weeks, losing crucial matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United and squandering the lead in each case. However, the quality that they have displayed in this unfortunate sequence of results has remained high, despite the disappointing results, and Reading will be no match for Arsène Wenger's side. Injuries have accounted for Mathieu Flamini, Bacary Sagna and Manuel Almunia so the reinstatement of Gilberto Silva, Alexandre Song and Jens Lehmann, who all impressed against Manchester United last Sunday, is likely, while Theo Walcott may well get the run-out from the start his recent displays as substitute have deserved at the expense of Emanuel Eboue. These changes will not affect the result against Reading, though, even if the visitors need a win to ward off the looming threat of relegation. Last weekend's 2-0 home defeat against Fulham reflected the poor state of their form, which has returned to the woeful state that preceded a surprise volte-face of three league wins and a draw. Only Derby and Bolton have a worse away record than the Royals and with Robin van Persie and Walcott itching to get back in the goals, Reading could be in for a right royal hammering at the Emirates. However, Arsenal's leaky rearguard is such that Blue Square's 8/1 about the Gunners winning after going behind is well worth a cheeky flutter. Sunday's two live games see Sunderland travel to Newcastle (1.30pm Sky Sports 1) and Portsmouth go to Manchester City. The north-east derby is always a close contest but Newcastle's unbeaten four-match run suggests Kevin Keegan's men are value at Blue Square's 6/5 to overcome the Black Cats, who have 12 away defeats to their name this term. Portsmouth, meanwhile, are no longer the free-flowing side of earlier this season but have developed a knack of nicking results. Nine wins and a draw from their last 12 matches is formidable form by anyone's standards and although City scraped a late win at Sunderland last weekend, that result was only their second league win in 14 Premier League attempts. Verdict: 3pts Arsenal to beat Reading with -1 goal handicap @ 5/6 (Blue Square); 1pt Arsenal to win after going behind @ 8/1 (Blue Square); 2pt treble on Arsenal, Newcastle and Portsmouth @ 6.65 (Blue Square) Click here for a free £25 to bet on Arsenal vs Reading with Blue Square Blue Square, one of the leading online bookmakers is offering a FREE £25 Bet for Betting Choice users. Simply stake up to £25 and we will match your bet. Blue Square is a leading UK bookmaker offering a huge range of special bets and promotions.