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Sports betting: Gullitless Chelsea to gun down Arsenal

Ian Davies
Monday 16 February 1998 00:02 GMT
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CHELSEA, who boast a 73 per cent strike rate at home in the Premiership this season, are a good bet at 11-8 to reap an instant dividend from the exit of Ruud Gullit in the second leg of their Coca-Cola Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Gullit brought the FA Cup back to Stamford Bridge last season, but cost the club pounds 14m in transfer deals alone without sorting out Chelsea's defence.

Moreover, his revolving squad system failed to get the best out of his players. Gianluca Vialli and Gianfranco Zola may not be the only members of the Chelsea dressing room glad to see the back of Gullit, and that could give them a boost against Arsenal, who scraped the home leg 2-1 and whose away strike rate in the Premiership this term is only 27 per cent.

Middlesbrough, not disgraced in losing the Anfield leg 2-1, appeal at 2-1 with Ladbrokes to beat Liverpool in the second leg of their Coca-Cola Cup semi-final at the Riverside Stadium.

Aston Villa, who have a 38 per cent strike rate at home, are slightly better value at 11-4 than Manchester United, whose away strike rate in the Premiership this season is 41 per cent, in their Premiership clash at Villa Park.

Southampton, who have a 58 per cent strike rate at The Dell this term, are a good bet at 5-4 to contain Coventry, whose away strike rate is only 17 per cent.

Team C H L T

Chelsea 5-4 11-8 11-8 11-8

Draw 9-4 11-5 11-5 11-5

Arsenal 7-4 13-8 13-8 13-8

Middlesbrough 7-4 7-4 2-1 15-8

Draw 9-4 9-4 9-4 11-5

Liverpool 5-4 5-4 11-10 6-5

Aston Villa 5-2 9-4 11-4 9-4

Draw 9-4 2-1 9-4 9-4

Man Utd 10-11 11-10 5-6 evens

Southampton 5-4 6-5 5-4 5-4

Draw 9-4 9-4 9-4 9-4

Coventry 7-4 15-8 7-4 7-4

C - Coral, H - William Hill, L - Ladbrokes, T - Tote

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