CSKA Moscow v Arsenal Betting Preview – UEFA Europa League 12th April 7.45pm
The Gunners are in command of this quarter-final tie after collecting a 4-1 home success over the Russians in the first leg. So it may not even matter if Arsenal fails to get their first ever win in Russia as they make the trip there on Thursday night. It’s a long way back into this tie now for CSKA Moscow, but their away goal at the Emirates may just give them a glimmer of hope.
Arsenal News and Form
The Gunners are 4-1 up in the tie now after the first leg at the Emirates, with all five goals coming in the first half of the game. Aaron Ramsey produced a brace for Arsenal, who have a good chance of making the final four. Arsenal have won six of their last seven away games in Europe now. Their only blemish there was at Cologne in this season’s group stage. Arsenal hold a W6 L5 in the quarter finals of European competitions but they have lost four of their last six (all in the Champions League). Each time that they did prevail through a quarter-final tie, they avoided defeat out on the road in the tie. Of the five occasions where they didn’t make it through a quarter-final tie, they lost four of them (D1). They have a comfortable advantage in this one and should be alright. They have a good track record of having won 15 of their 17 previous two-legged ties in Europe after having won won the first leg at home. In the bet365 correct score market the shortest priced option is the 1-1 draw at 6/1 odds* (Betting Odds taken at 10:22 p.m. on April 8th, 2018). They just need to close out the deal with as little fuss as possible.
CSKA Moscow News and Form
Three occasions in Europe CSKA Moscow have lost the first leg of two-legged tie away from home. Two of those occasions they failed to make it through. It’s hard to imagine that they will close the three-goal gap that are facing in this one, in what is their first-ever appearance in the quarter finals of the Europa League. This will be their third appearance in the quarter-final of a European competition though, having won one and lost one of their previous two. CSKA started in the Champions League groups stage this season, losing both games against Manchester United, going down 4-1 on home soil against the Premier League side. Both teams to score at bet365 should have some appeal as they do have to come forward and press. Plus five of Arsenal’s last six European matches have gone above the 2.5 goal line. CSKA Moscow played on Monday night in a derby against Dinamo Moscow which is a bit of bad timing for them. But then Arsenal have a long trip to make. In their two Europa league home games this season they took a 1-0 success over Red Star Belgrade before losing against Lyon 1-0. CSKA Moscow have won just two of their last ten European home games (D3 L5).
CSKA Moscow v Arsenal Moscow Head to Head
Before this, the two were together in the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League group stage, with CSKA Moscow winning 1-0 at home and drawing 0-0 at the Emirates. CSKA’s record against English opposition is W3 D5 L12 and they have failed to win any of their last six home games against Premier League opposition. Overall they are W2 D2 L5 at home against English opponents. Arsenal’s record in Russia is a D1 L3 and overall are W3 D2 L4 against Russian opposition
CSKA Moscow v Arsenal Moscow Betting Odds*
Arsenal 10/11, CSKA Moscow 13/5, Draw 11/4* (Betting Odds taken at 10:22 p.m. on April 8th, 2018)
CSKA Moscow v Arsenal Moscow Predictions
It’s hard to judge this one really. CSKA Moscow aren’t anything special and the Gunners have no need to come out and be all gung-ho about things. But can they stay strong enough at the back? Back the draw.
