Emirates Cup Betting: Arsenal v Real Madrid

Arsenal v Real Madrid. Live on Sky Sports 2. Kick Off 4.15pm

Despite their apparent lack of activity in the transfer market, the future is looking bright for Arsene Wenger’s Gunners. He chose to bleed a few youngsters in yesterday’s unlucky defeat to Juventus and several impressed the Emirates crowd, none more so than 16-year-old Jack Wilshere. And it looks like Wenger could give a few more of his starlets a run out today against La Liga champions Real Madrid.

It’s a game that the Gunners need to win, and by a few goals, if they’re to retain the Emirates Cup. That 1-0 goal defeat to Juve alongside Madrid’s 2-1 win over Hamburg left the tournament table looking like this overnight;

With Madrid bagging a couple of goals yesterday Arsenal will need to win whilst scoring at least 2 against the Spaniards. If Arsene chooses to go with youth again, it looks like it could be a tall order. Although some Gunners would prefer to see the youngsters given their chance rather than boo-boys target Emmanuel Adebeyor.

Real looked as if they meant business yesterday with a virtually full-strength team and will no doubt field a decent team this afternoon too. As well having their own players to boo, Arsenal fans will have no shortage of opposition targets with a few familiar foes such as Dudek, Robben and Van Nistelrooy now at Madrid.

As for the game itself, the bookies have Arsenal as favourites for the win at 6/4 (Bet365, Boylesports, Centrebet), whilst Madrid are slightly bigger at 7/4 (Bet365, Betfred, Ladbrokes). The draw is 5/2 at SkyBet.

With the onus on scoring goals in this tournament you can get 4/6 (Bet365) that both sides find the net and that might be worth go.

On the goalscoring front, Adebeyor is favourite to net first at 11/2 (Bet365, Boylesports, Totesport), Van Nistelrooy is 6/1 (Bet365), Van Persie 6/1 (Boylesports, Paddy Power, Totesport, William Hill) and Raul 15/2 ( Bet365, Bet Direct, Stan James). Fabregas at 12/1 (Boylesports, SkyBet, Totesport) will also be popular assuming he starts.

I can see this one going either way. At the moment I’m leaning towards Madrid just because it looks likely that Wenger will field some of the kids. I’ll probably leave it till nearer kick-off, to find out the teams, before committing my cash anywhere.

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