You can watch Arsenal v Birmingham Live online by signing up with us here on Live Sport Network, the leading source for watching live football online.

Arsenal host Birmingham City at the Emirates in the Premier League on Saturday 17 October 2009. Arsenal are chasing their fourth consecutive win in the league while Birmingham, newly taken over by Carson Yeung, are struggling and will in all likelihood struggle till January, when Yeung has promised the team sacks of cash.

The match starts at 15:00 GMT. Team news after the jump.

Arsenal Preview

Arsenal welcome Birmingham to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday with a full head of steam. The Londoners have won their previous three Premier League matches by the combined total of 11-2.

Summer signing Thomas Vermaelen has proven to not only be a solid defender, but a real threat from set pieces for Arsenal as well.  The Belgian scored again in the victory over Blackburn to bring his season total to four goals in seven matches since his transfer from Ajax.

In addition to Arsenal’s fine form, they will be boosted by the return of Theo Walcott.  Recovering from a lengthy back injury, the young English phenom made his first appearance of the season for Arsenal as a substitute against Blackburn and could be in line for his first start on Saturday in this this match.

Manuel Almunia is also expected to return to the starting eleven following a chest infection, though Eduardo, who missed Croatia’s recent World Cup qualifiers, will likely miss out again with a groin injury.

Birmingham Preview

Birmingham make the trip to London with their form pointing in the opposite direction, following consecutive 2-1 defeats to Burnley and Bolton.  Alex McLeish will be hoping that his team can turn things around ahead of the tough task that awaits them in Saturday’s clash.

Birmingham have made a habit of playing tight games this season, and through the first eight games of the 2009/10 campaign, they have neither won nor lost by a margin greater than one goal.

Still, having collected only seven points from eight games played, it is becoming more and more apparent that Birmingham City will likely find themselves in a relegation battle, yet again.

Cameron Jerome will likely be fully fit after an ankle injury ruled him out of the clash against Burnley.  Stuart Parnaby is also expected to be fit, though Christian Benitez may be rested after partaking in Ecuador’s recent World Cup qualifiers.

Arsenal v Birmingham Prediction

Birmingham managed to hold Arsenal to two draws during the 2007/08 campaign, with the fixture at Emirates Stadium ending in a 1-1 draw whilst the reverse fixture finished 2-2.

While upsets are always a threat, it’s hard to imagine Birmingham will really trouble Arsenal given their lack of attacking prowess.

Still, Birmingham rarely lose by large margins and have a tendency to make tight games of contests which would seem lopsided at first glance.

Prediction: Arsenal 2 – Birmingham 1

You can sign up to watch Arsenal v Birmingham live online here.

Sponsors

This Arsenal v Birmingham preview is brought to you by SportsBettingReview. Get the best odds and free betting tips for the match at the Arsenal v Birmingham odds and free betting tips page now!