UEFA Champions League: More Goalscorer Hunches…

Champions League Tips

 

Yesterday’s Champions League Results:

 

Bayern Munich 2-1 Manchester United: Ribery, Olic – Rooney (FGS)

 

We had Wayne Rooney FGS, while we also got lucky with a deflected Ribery free-kick to land us our Anytime Goalscorer punt.

 

Lyon 3-1 Bordeaux: Lopez X2 (FGS), Michael Bastos – Chamakh

 

We had Lisandro Lopez to strike first but that was as good as it got.

 

 

Arsenal V Barcelona

 

Arguably the clash of the round sees Spanish giants and reigning European champions Barcelona (2.38 SkyBet) travel to the English capital to take on the bright and exuberant Arsenal (3.20 Bet365) at The Emirates Stadium. With rumours beginning to circulate that Cesc Fabregas won’t be fit enough in time of this highly anticipated clash which is a huge blow for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners, while the bookies have taken note of the Spaniards possible absence and made Barcelona overwhelming favourites to not only progress into the semi’s but also to secure a first leg victory in England.

 

The name mentioned above, Cesc Fabregas, would certainly make anyone’s short-list for possible Arsenal goalscorers tonight should he start, and well, without Cesc there isn’t too many other stand-outs in fairness. Some would argue Andrei Arshavin would be a good shout but he’s shied away from the limelight in recent weeks, nearly a whole month in fact with his last strike coming at the beginning of March in a 3-1 win over Burnley. He has, however, been prone to scoring in the big encounters having done so in games with both Manchester United and Liverpool this season, so the little Russian could be Wenger’s ray of light tonight. We suppose Nicklas Bendtner would be a contender seeing as he will probably start up front on his lonesome, but his finishing still leaves a lot to be believed and couldn’t be relied upon in such an important fixture. A player who does appear way overpriced is Abou Diaby. A player in the Viera like mould, although this lad has a far leaner shot on him and certainly isn’t afraid to have a pop. He looks decent at very attractive odds.

 

There is a whole host of names we could pick for possible goalscorers in the Barcelona camp which probably says all you need to about their chances of winning this first leg tie. We struggled to pick a couple out with Arsenal yet could name a good five or six within the Barca ranks. It’s one of the reasons why we love betting on Barcelona so much, their variety of scorers. While Messi and Ibrahimovic often get in amongst the goals on a regular basis, there are still others who chip in every now again and there isn’t really a player in their team you could safely rule out in any one game. For First Goalscorers though, we have to side with a classy, silky and in form Lionel Messi. He’s been scoring goals for fun this season, whether that’s in Europe or back home in Spain. The lads a menace in front of goal. He scored twice in his last Champions League outing against Stuttgart and will be eager to stretch his CL tally though, which currently stands at 4. For value though, perhaps one of Guardiola’s hot prospects could find a way through the Arsenal back line. Someone like Pedro, whom is quick on his feet and is quickly making a name for himself at the club. Dani Alves also looks a big price considering he bombs forward whenever he can, whilst he can hit a decent free-kick once in a blue moon, although he doesn’t always features in Guardiola’s starting plans. The Brazilian could be a decent bet for LGS as he’s often used a second half sub, as well is Bojan Krkic whom scored from the bench against Stuttgart last round. Bojan is somewhat of a fan favourite with the Barcelona fans and yet he could be a decent bet to make some enemies within the The Emirates this evening.

 

 

FGS: Andrei Arshavin @ 9.00 Ladbrokes, Lionel Messi @ 6.00 Ladbrokes

LGS: Bojan Krkic @ 9.00 SkyBet

Anytime Scorer(s): Abou Diaby @ 6.50 PaddyPower, Pedro @ 3.75 SkyBet

Correct Score: 0-2 Barcelona @ 12.00 WilliamHill

 

 

 

Inter Milan V CSKA Moscow

 

It was the San Siro giants and current Italian champs that were handed by far the easiest draw of the lot as Inter Milan (1.44 Boylesports) were dawn against a CSKA Moscow (9.3 Expekt) side that few thought would even get this far. The Russian’s have built a successful European campaign upon their swift counter-attacking style of play, which, to their credit, has been very effective. However, it is Inter Milan who come into this last-eight tie as the favourites and full of confidence as they claimed the scalp of Chelsea in the previous round in what was a well deserved two-legged victory.

 

CSKA have been a frustrating team to play against as they set themselves in a very defensive manner yet cause you all sorts of problems on the counter. We’ve seen Inter’s defence on plenty of occasions this season, even recently, and it’s not all that great. So the Russian’s could enjoy yet more success if they get their tactics spot on once again. However, we feel Inter’s strength in depth will see them through what remains a generous tie.

 

So who do we think will make the breakthrough… Well, the two obvious selections would be Diego Milito & Samuel Eto, but neither have been particularly impressive this season, both domestically and in Europe. So we feel they’re of little value tonight and instead look towards some of their more creative players; Wesley Sneijder (9.00 Coral), Dejan Stankovic (21.00 Coral) & Esteban Cambiasso (21.00 Coral), all of which are incredible prices to open the scoring tonight. Stankovic is 100% certain to start due to Mourinho having fresher legs available, but both Sneijder and Cambiasso are certainties to start barring any late mishaps. Sneijder will have the greater chance of scoring success as he sits right behind the forward duo in that playmaker role. He does, however, take most of Inter’s free-kicks and will shoot on sight. Cambiasso is a defensive-midfielder at heart and won’t get forward as much as some, but the Argentine does have a decent shoot on him as well and did score a sublime volley against Chelsea at the San Siro in the previous round so he has serious claims this evening.

 

For CSKA, well, we don’t know where to start as very few ring any bells. Tomas Necid look lively in both encounters against Sevilla and did score their vital second in their clash with Sevilla in Spain. However, it’s Milos Krasic which catches our eyes the most at stunning odds of 21.00 to score the game’s first goal. We don’t feel CSKA will score first this evening but who knows, and should they do so, Krasic, whom has three CL’s goals this season could be the likely scorer. Other than that though, we’re short of ideas. Mark Gonzalez, a former Liverpool full-back, has got a deadly left peg on him and his sublime 35 yeard effort in the first leg against Sevilla looks the likely candidate for goal of the tournament. Quite whether he’ll hit a ball as sweet as that again is anyone’s guess but still decent enough in the prices to score another sublime goal at one of the most daunting arenas in world football.

 

FGS: Wesley Sneijder @ 9.00 Coral, Milos Krasic @ 21.00 SkyBet

Anytime Scorer(s): Esteban Cambiasso @ 7.00 ExtraBet, Mark Gonzalez @ 11.00 ExtraBet

Correct Score: 3-0 @ 10.00 Expekt