Portsmouth v Arsenal Bettingchoice Preview

Portsmouth face their biggest test under the new regime on Sunday afternoon when Arsenal come to Fratton Park. The Gunners have fallen five points behind Chelsea and can't afford a poor result. Victory is vital to stay within sight of the Blues.Arsene Wenger is boosted with the return of Patrick Vieira from suspension, but Ashley Cole is doubtful with a knee injury. The return of the captain is a massive boost for the team, who are clear odds on favourites to take three points. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Since Harry Redknapp left Portsmouth, the club has beaten Bolton and West Brom, and held Newcastle and Liverpool. The expected downturn almost happened last Tuesday at Anfield, but a dramatic late equaliser gave Pompey a point. Both Premiership meetings last season between Arsenal and Portsmouth finished 1-1, although in the FA Cup it was a different story with the Gunners winning 5-1. As for what will happen on Sunday afternoon, the visitors should win. It is hard to imagine Arsenal not picking up the winning thread in the league quickly, and as good as Portsmouth have been recently, Sunday's opponents should prove a class above anything they have faced in the last month. Instead though of going for an away win at the skinny odds on quote, it makes more sense to back the player at odds against who is most likely to engineer the victory. Thierry Henry has found the net ten times in his last eleven matches in all competitions, yet is available at 11/10 with Bluesq to score at Fratton Park. It would be surprising to see such a big price available come 4.05pm on Sunday, so the advice is to have a piece as soon as possible. Not only is Henry in superb form, but the hosts have lost defender Dejan Stefanovic to a thigh injury and may not be at their best defensively as a result.