Champions League Wednesday

After a wee bit of success last night I’m tempted not to push my luck and just keep my money in my pocket tonight. All 4 games in the Champions League look too close to call and it might just be a watching brief for me but lets have a look…

Tie of the round looks like being Arsenal v AC Milan – this is the kind of game that makes the Champions League so special but so often games like these fail to deliver. What will it be tonight? There’s no doubting Arsenal’s flair but will their youthful endeavour be enough to get past the defensive experience of the Italians. I witnessed the Italians earlier in the season and they came within a minute of holding out for a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park, only a late Scott McDonald strike secured all three points for the Hoops. But the Italians are masters are closing a game down and taking a point from tricky European venues and make no mistake this will be their game plan tonight. Arsenal will need to play at a high tempo and will need to be patient if they are to get the breakthrough. Despite the attacking prowess on show in Adbeyour, Eduardo, Kara and Inzaghi I think it’ll be a tight game and just one goal might swing it either way. 11/10 (Bet365, BetDirect, Betfred, BlueSq, Coral, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Skybet, Stan James, Totesport, VCBet, William Hill) on the Arsenal win is a bit too short for me but I don’t expect them to get beaten. The 4/5 (BetDirect, Stan James) on the Asian Handicap with (0,-0.5) start represents better value – that way you’d get half your stake back if the game ended in stalemate.

Man Utd travel to Lyon as they attempt to make it to the quarter finals yet again. Lyon top the French Ligue 1 but are being pushed all the way by Bordeaux who sit just one point behind them and they haven’t had it all their own way domestically this season. In the Champions League they managed to sneak out of their group at the expense of Rangers who looked as if they had everything sewn up with 7 points after 3 games. But the French side came roaring back and clinched qualification with a convincing 3-0 win at Ibrox – overturning the reverse scoreline when the two teams met on Matchday 2. That Rangers win highlights the fragility of the French champions this season though and I think United are more than capable of exploiting it tonight. A lot will depend on Sir Alex’s personnel and if he goes with his big guns – Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs and Tevez – then I can’t see anything but an away win. The fact that United are the right side of evens makes even more appeal. I think I’ll be on them at 13/10 with BlueSq, Coral or William Hill once I’ve seen the line-ups.

I’m looking forward to going to Celtic Park tonight for what should be an absolute cracker as the Bhoys host Spanish giants and tournament favourites, Barcelona. For just the second time this season Frank Rijkaard has named Henry, Ronaldinho, Eto’o and Messi in the same squad, but they can’t all play in the same team can they? Much has been made of Barca’s indifferent form of late but you just can’t help but fear the Catalans with the players they have at their disposal. Barca are rightly favourites to win tonight at 10/11 (Betfred, Boylesports, Totesport) but the 4/1 available on Celtic at Skybet is a bit on the generous side to say the least. Fortress Celtic Park has quite a reputation on European nights like these and the home side have lost just once there in the Champions League – coincidently to a Henrik Larsson inspired Barcelona. This season the Hoops have triumphed over Spartak Moscow, Benfica, Shaktar Donetsk and AC Milan so I don’t think the 4/1 represents Celtic’s chances. I’m not going to tempt fate and go all out tipping a home win but there certainly looks some value to be had there. For what its worth I think it’ll be an open game. Celtic will certainly look to take the game to Barcelona with McGeady and Nakamura working the flanks. Whereas whatever Rijkaard’s line up, you just know there’ll be plenty of attacking options. 6/5 at Bet365 on over 2.5 goals is the bet for me.

No-one predicted Kuryani would score first goal last night so the Paddy Power comp rolls over for  tonight. Its not too late to enter, just drop me an email. Details here.

Whatever you’re betting on good luck and don’t forget you can download my free Accumulator Comparison Calculator here to make sure you get the best odds for your coupon.

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