Arsenal v CSKA Moscow Betting Preview – UEFA Europa League 5th April 8.05pm
Arsenal start on home soil in the quarter-final of their Europa League duel with CSKA Moscow. It is going to be important for them to get something on the board because of their winless record in Russia. The last time that CSKA Moscow came to North London for a visit there was a 0-0 draw played out. The Gunners will be hoping for more than that this time around.
Arsenal News and Form
Arsenal could really use a nice lift in this game to have a cushion to work with away from home in the second leg. The Gunners were on an eight-match undefeated streak of European form (W6 D2) until they lost against Ostersund in the round of 32. Still, they responded pretty well with a good performance to take down AC Milan 3-1 in the round of 16 at the Emirates. Arsenal though have not earned a clean sheet in any of their last seven European knockout stage matches on home soil. This is likely to be a tight affair, the pressure is starting to mount in the tournament’s latter stages and so under 2.5 goals at 43/40 with bet365* (Betting Odds taken at 7:38 p.m. on April 2nd, 2018) looks a decent proposition.
Arsenal’s record in UEFA competition quarter-final ties is W6 L5, but they have lost four of their last six. After beating Stoke in the Premier League on the weekend the Gunners have won their last four games on the bounce in all competitions, so have found a bit of form. Danny Welbeck and Alexandre Lacazette are the 10/3 first goalscorer joint-favourites* (Betting Odds taken at 7:38 p.m. on April 2nd, 2018). The Gunners have a W2 D2 L4 record overall against Russian sides but at home, it is a positive W2 D2 L1. As for CSKA Moscow, their record against English sides is pretty woeful at W3 D5 L11. CSKA Moscow have lost each of their last five games against English opposition now (home and away).
CSKA Moscow’s record in England is W1 D3 L5 with their only victory there coming against Man City in the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League, despite finishing bottom of the group. The Russians made a trip to Manchester United in the Champions League group stage this season and lost 2-1. CSKA have won all three of their domestic league games in 2018 (only recently back after their winter break). They have also collected five victories in seven away games in Europe this season, their only loss that defeat at Old Trafford. So they have a bit of form and they have won six of their last nine Europa League away games specifically (D2 L1). So that suggests that they aren’t going to give Arsenal an easy time of things. Both teams not to score with bet365 is at 7/10 odds* (Betting Odds taken at 7:38 p.m. on April 2nd, 2018). They wouldn’t be unhappy with a repeat of their 0-0 draw from their last visit the Emirates with home advantage to come.
Arsenal v CSKA Moscow Head to Head
This will be just the third game between the two sides. The previous encounters happened in the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League group stage with the Russians coming out on top. After a 1-0 home success over the Gunners, CSKA Moscow became the first visiting side to not concede at the Emirates after playing out a 0-0 draw there.
Arsenal v CSKA Moscow Betting Odds*
Arsenal 1/3, Draw 15/4, CSKA Moscow 10/1* (Betting Odds taken at 7:38 p.m. on April 2nd, 2018)
Arsenal v CSKA Moscow Predictions
Arsenal looked alright in the last round against AC Milan and they will know the importance of getting a win on the board in this home leg. They need something to defend away from home. Overall look for a low scoring game though as the Russians will dig in, so Arsenal to win and under 2.5 goals.
