Birmingham City vs. Arsenal (Prediction/Thoughts)

[Catfish]

I'm going with a 1-0 result for The Arsenal. BC play pretty tough defense that is why I have it as such a low scoring affair.

Go Gunners!

[Gunners11]

2-0 to the Arsenal. This is a good setup to the big CL match next week. I think to get a result next week we need to win this one, if for nothing else, confidence.

[naggi]

I am not optimistic about this one for a number of reasons:

* Suspensions will mean we field a line-up that is not used to playing together
* Players will have their mind on the Inter game
* We are never good after international break
* Birmingham have a good defense
* We are due for a loss

I'll see how I feel in a week's time.

[phishy]

anyone else going to the match??? finally the boys comin to the midlands!! i'm stoked~! I hope there is no INTERNATIONAL hangover...


phishy~

[TheSlipperyOne]

Is this game on TV?

[goonerooni]

Originally posted by phishy
anyone else going to the match???

'fraid not, i was waiting for someone to make their minds up on going, by the time that got sorted out its now a sell-out.

[AUSGunner]

1-1 ... or 1-0 to Birmingham :(

[Detlef]

Originally posted by TheSlipperyOne
Is this game on TV?


It's on the Fox Sports World Pay Per View package.

[dwinkler]

Originally posted by Detlef
It's on the Fox Sports World Pay Per View package. Which means it shows up 3 days later on FSW. Check your local listings.

[michaec]

With all our suspensions/injuries you would have thought that our midfield will be thin enough. But add to this the fact that Gilberto won't be back from Brazil until late Thursday or early Friday, so it's unlikely he'll play. So a midfield of Pires-Edu-Ljungberg-Wiltord is on the cards. Attacking for sure, but who's going to win the midfield battles against Robbie Savage? If Keown is fit I can see Wenger pushing Toure into midfield for this match. Whatever way you look at it it will be usatisfactory.

[Coach_McGuirk]

Originally posted by phishy
i'm stoked~! I hope there is no INTERNATIONAL hangover...


phishy~

Is this how we should refer to your hangovers, phishy?

[Coach_McGuirk]

Originally posted by michaec
With all our suspensions/injuries you would have thought that our midfield will be thin enough. But add to this the fact that Gilberto won't be back from Brazil until late Thursday or early Friday, so it's unlikely he'll play. So a midfield of Pires-Edu-Ljungberg-Wiltord is on the cards. Attacking for sure, but who's going to win the midfield battles against Robbie Savage? If Keown is fit I can see Wenger pushing Toure into midfield for this match. Whatever way you look at it it will be usatisfactory.

I think Edu is more than capable of handling Savage, although I'd feel more confident if PV4 were available. I also don't think moving Toure up will be of any benefit at all. I'd like Kolo to have as many games under his belt at central defense as possible so he'll be well versed in his role when during the stretch run.

BTW, is this one of the games he is scheduled to "sit" for as part of his suspension? Works pretty neatly (in a manUre/Keane-o sort of way) if that is the situation.

[michaec]

Originally posted by Coach_McGuirk
I think Edu is more than capable of handling Savage, although I'd feel more confident if PV4 were available. I also don't think moving Toure up will be of any benefit at all. I'd like Kolo to have as many games under his belt at central defense as possible so he'll be well versed in his role when during the stretch run.

BTW, is this one of the games he is scheduled to "sit" for as part of his suspension? Works pretty neatly (in a manUre/Keane-o sort of way) if that is the situation. Yeah, Vieira's suspended for this one anyway, so it does work out nicely. But I just remembered, so is Keown, so it looks like all-out attack from the midfield.

[OPArsenal]

Thoughts: Birmingham have a sweet defense. Low-scoring match. Predictions: phishy, get your voice warmed up, 'cuz you'll be singing "One-nil to the Arsenal!"

Originally posted by Coach_McGuirk
Is this how we should refer to your hangovers, phishy?

Depends on where the beer is from... :D

[Martin Daoust]

I have a strange feeling this won't be the nail-biting, one goal will win it contest, everyone here and elsewhere sees. I sense Henry will have a HUGE day-at least a brace(save some for the San Siro, Mate!)and either Pires or Freddie who are regaining top form we'll add a third. I do think we'll concede though, such is things of late...Birmingham(0)1, Arsenal (1)3. Remember they conceded three against United...

[OPArsenal]

Originally posted by Martin Daoust
I have a strange feeling this won't be the nail-biting, one goal will win it contest, everyone here and elsewhere sees. I sense Henry will have a HUGE day-at least a brace(save some for the San Siro, Mate!)and either Pires or Freddie who are regaining top form we'll add a third. I do think we'll concede though, such is things of late...Birmingham(0)1, Arsenal (1)3. Remember they conceded three against United... Very true, Martin, that bit about United. I'll be willing to up my prediction to 2-0, but any higher would be sweet. Sweet indeed.

PS- The weather down here in FL finally turned cold!!! I wish it would snow, but oh, well... That said, this weather has me in the mood for some great football! http://www.arsenal.com/images/splash/xmas_crest.gif

[Catfish]

I would love Arsenal to give the Blues a serious beating...like 3 or 4-0!

60's here in Chicago...warm for this time of year. Suppose to get chilly next week and snow too.

OPArsenal, where are you in FL? My mother-in-law is in Delray Beach. We might be moving to either the Tampa/St. Pete/Ft. Meyers area OR South Florida.

[asfoolasiam]

No Vieira, Gilberto, or Parlour. No Lauren. No Keown. (And AW has expressed that he has no intention of recalling Volz from Fulham.) If we struggle to finiish what chances we create against Birmingham's staunch defense, we could easily go down 1-0 or 2-1. Instead, I'm going to call this a 1-1 draw, and hope that Henry and Pires prove me wrong with a big game effort.

[Colo11]

3-0 Arsenal

Henry in the 3rd, 24th and 62nd minutes

[Martin Daoust]

Originally posted by Colo11
3-0 Arsenal

Henry in the 3rd, 24th and 62nd minutes

Any tips on Powerball or at least the Connecticut Lottery? Seriously, I LOVE the scoreline you've gone for. I just don't trust the defence to keep it clean...