Betting Picks

This month, the sportsbook is jam-packed with exciting events, as baseball has begun and hockey and basketball start their playoffs. Stanley Cup odds are now available as the Pittsburgh Penguins try to defend their title, and NBA playoff betting begins as the season finishes out with a couple more games. Sports betting also includes intriguing soccer matchups, including several this week in the English Premier League.

Arsenal visits White Hart Lane to take on one of the surprise clubs of the season in Tottenham Hotspur, as both teams vie for a top four finish in the table with only a handful of games remaining.

The Gunners, along with Chelsea and Manchester United, has spent much of the season ahead of the pack, battling for first position in the table. They are currently in third with 71 points, three points back of the Blues, and two back of the Reds with a game in hand. These three clubs have been battling all year long, and while Arsenal will not play either in its remaining five games, they do have tough opponents in Manchester City and Tottenham.

Hotspur, though only two positions back at fifth, have 58 points and are battling with Liverpool, two back, and Aston Villa, four back, for Europa League qualifying.  All three teams are trying to catch fourth place Manchester City, currently with 62 points and with Champions League qualifying position.

The Tottenham hopes for catching City took a huge blow last week against last place Portsmouth, when they allowed two goals in extra time and lost 2-0. The road for Hotspur gets no easier as the face Chelsea and Manchester United, and so three points is much needed here if they hope to catch City.

Hotspur centre-back Ledley King, who has been out with a thigh injury since February, is nearing return and may be available for the match on Wednesday. Manager Harry Redknapp will decide at game time whether King is fit for play.

The news is not as positive for Niko Kranjcar as he will be out with an ankle injury suffered last week against Portsmouth. Aaron Lennon and Wilson Palacios will also be out for Tottenham.

The Gunners are in better shape with striker Robin van Persie returning to the lineup after being sidelined for five months with ruptured ankle ligaments.  Manager Arsene Wenger has admitted, however, that bringing van Persie back ahead of schedule is a “gamble.” It appears as if he will play start from the bench, but is certainly looking to avoid the fate of teammate William Gallas, who returned to play ahead of schedule and was re-injured and lost for the season.

Arsenal beat Tottenham at home earlier in the season 3-0. In 15 home matches this season, Hotspur has won 11 and drawn 2, allowing 10 goals in all.

Betting lines: Arsenal is the favourite on the road in this match as well they should be due to its continued dominance throughout most of the season. However, they have slipped up on the road from time to time, and Tottenham is no pushover. Despite the injuries, Hotspur will come out strong, and ride the energy from the crowd and the desperation in the standing to earn a victory and have a chance at vying for fourth position.