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Big Game Focus: Brazil v Senegal

 

South America champions Brazil and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finalists Senegal clash in an international friendly in Singapore. This will be Senegal’s first senior fixture since losing to Algeria in the AFCON final back in July. Can the Senegalese beat the football giants? Bet on the game here. 

Brazil will be aiming to bounce back to winning ways after disappointing outcomes last month when they take on Senegal in Singapore on Thursday. The Seleção failed to win both their friendly fixtures during the last international break and will be keen to get back to winning ways against African giants Senegal.

Meanwhile, Senegal, will be in action for the first time after their defeat to Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final back in July. Head coach Aliou Cisse has chopped and changed his squad with new faces coming in as he plans to integrate new players into the national team and keep things fresh. This game will also be a preparation for the 2021 AFCON qualifiers for which will be kicking off in a month, and a match against the five-time World champions will be a good test for the Lions of Teranga.

Betting preview

Both teams have not scored in eight of Brazil’s last ten matches in all competitions. On the other hand, both teams have not found the net in nine of Senegal’s last ten games in all competitions. For that reason, you can back Both Teams to Score No at odds of 1.55.  

Brazil have scored twice in four of their last five friendlies. They also scored 13 times in their six Copa America games. Seven of Brazil’s last ten matches have seen two or more goals scored. You can back Brazil to score Over 1.5 Goals at odds of 1.55. 

Gabriel Jesus has been in fine form in the last few months. He has scored six goals in the last 11 appearances for both club and country. He has scored 11 goals in the last 18 appearances for club and country despite playing only 729 minutes. Odds of 2.55 for Gabriel Jesus as Anytime Goalscorer look attractive. 

Team news

Alisson Becker is unavailable, while Juventus star Danilo misses out with an injury and has been replaced by Botafogo’s uncapped right-back Marcinho. Another uncapped full-back, Renan Lodi, might make his debut, along with Gremio midfielder Matheus Henrique. Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa is back in the reckoning, as well as defender Rodrigo Caio.

Kalidou Koulibaly is back in contention after missing the Africa Cup of Nations final, but Rennes forward M’Baye Niang, alongside Henri Saivet and Mbaye Diagne, miss out. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy withdrew from the squad with an injury.

Possible line-ups 

Brazil: Ederson, Alves, Silva, Miltao, Lodi, Arthur, Casemiro, Coutinho, Everton, Jesus, Neymar

Senegal: Gomis, Gassama, Sane, Koulibaly, Ciss, Gueye, Ndiaye, Kouyate, Sarr, Mane, Keita Balde

Big Game Focus: Germany v Argentina

Germany and Argentina will meet in Dortmund for an international friendly match as these two clash in a rematch of the 2014 World Cup final. Bet on the match here.

Both of these sides did not have the best time at the 2018 World Cup, and they have never quite picked up in the last couple of months. Argentina are in the middle of a transition period, with some young talents being asked to step up.

The same could be said of the German squad as well as they are looking to promote a new group of players, after relying too much on the side who beat Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final. The fact that almost all of their players called up for this clash have less than 50 caps for the national side speaks to that.

Betting preview

The Germans have struggled at the back after conceding seven goals in their Nations League clashes with France and Holland. With Argentina’s fresh forward line they should find it difficult to contain them. Germany have scored twice in their last five internationals making odds of 1.65 for Both Teams to Score look attractive.

Germany have won four of their last five matches and they will have the added advantage of playing in front of their fans. Argentina have failed to win in two of their last three away trips and therefore backing a Home Win at odds of 1.75 looks good.

Four of Germany’s last five friendlies have seen exactly three goals scored and there is a good chance that this could happen again. This one looks ripe for goals and you can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.75.

Team news

Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger is expected to miss out here, as well as Manchester City’s Leroy Sane. Joachim Low has a big test to choose between the first choice keepers Manuel Neuer and Marc-Andre ter-Stegen for Bayern and Barcelona respectively.

Argentina have made a few changes to their squad here, and Erik Lamela is their most experienced midfielder. Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero have been left out of Lionel Scaloni’s squad, while captain and talisman Lionel Messi is still serving a three-month ban issued by CONMEBOL for comments made at this summer’s Copa America.

Possible line ups

Germany: Ter Stegen, Stark, Sule, Tah, Halstenberg, Havertz, Kimmich, Klostermann, Gnabry, Werner, Reus.

Argentina: Marchesin, Tagliafico, Rojo, Otamendi, Foyth, Acuna, Paredes, De Paul, Correa, L. Martinez, Dybala.

Top 5 Bets for the Week: October 10-12

 

With league football around the world taking a break, international football takes center stage. Here are Top 5 Bets for the Week for you to consider. Bet on football here. 

Slovakia v Wales – Slovakia Win – 2.20 – October 10

These two rivals have already met in Group E of the Euro 2020 qualifiers with the Welshmen emerging with a narrow 1-0 victory. Slovakia are second in the group while Ryan Giggs’ side are fourth but have played one game less. Wales have lost four of their last five games in all competitions while Slovakia have won four of their last six matches. If Wales nick a win they will go second but it looks like Gareth Bale and company will have to bring their A-game to Bratislava. Slovakia’s solid home form should get them over the line.

Croatia v Hungary – Over 2.5 Goals – 1.75 – October 10

Croatia sit top of Group E with ten points and will look to extend their lead when they meet third-placed Hungary who are just a point behind them. Five of Croatia’s last six matches in both the qualifiers and friendlies have seen three or more goals scored. Four of Hungary’s last six games have seen over 2.5 Goals. When these two met in March the Hungarians snatched a narrow 2-1 win. For that reason, Over 2.5 Goals look very likely in this encounter.

Czech Republic v England – Over 2.5 Goals – 1.80 – October 11

England are top of Group A with a 100% record and will seal their place in Euro 2020 if they beat the Czech Republic on Friday. Five of England’s last six matches in all competitions have seen Over 2.5 Goals. All six of the Czech’s games have seen three or more goals scored. This fixture has also seen Over 2.5 Goals in two of the last three games. Therefore, a high scoring affair is odds-on.

Denmark v Switzerland – Both Teams to Score – 1.75 – October 12

Group D of the Euro 2020 qualifiers is quite open. The Republic of Ireland sit top of the group with 11 points followed by Denmark on nine then Denmark on eight. The first leg meeting between these two ended in an emphatic 3-3 draw with Denmark producing a spectacular comeback, scoring three goals in the last six minutes. Five of Denmark’s last six matches have seen both teams find the back of the net. Three of Switzerland’s last five matches have also seen both teams score. We should expect another thrilling and high scoring showdown between these two.

Uruguay v Peru – Uruguay Win – 1.80 – October 12

Uruguay meet Peru in an international friendly this coming Saturday. Uruguay have beaten their continental rivals four out of six times in all competitions. The last time these two met, Peru emerged victorious via a penalty shoot-out in this year’s Copa America. Uruguay have a solid home record. They have won their last four friendly matches. Peru have won just one of their last four friendly games away from home.

Winners and Losers European Football: October 5-6

 

Juventus took the Derby d’Italia bragging rights, Lionel Messi bagged his first goal, while Bayern Munich were stunned by Hoffenheim in an eventful weekend of league football. Here are the Winners and Losers. Bet on football here. 

Winners 

Hoffenheim 

Sargis Adamyan scored a brace on his full Bundesliga debut as Hoffenheim stunned Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena for the first time ever. Bayern were heading into this game after a 7-2 win in the Champions League but failed to turn up. Following that loss, Niko Kovac’s men dropped to third on 14 points, two behind leaders Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Gonzalo Higuaín and Juventus

Juventus moved to the top of Serie A with a fine 2-1 win over rivals Inter Milan in a cagey Derby d’Italia at the San Siro. The 236th Derby d’Italia between the league’s top two sides saw former Chelsea managers Maurizio Sarri and Antonio Conte lock horns for the first time since they took the reins in the summer. Goals from Paulo Dybala and Higuain sealed the win for the Bianconeri who leapfrogged Inter to move to the top of the table. Higuain has now scored three goals in eight appearances for Juventus this season and the winner against Inter showed how important he could be for Sarri.

Lionel Messi and Barcelona

Barcelona trounced Sevilla 4-0 at the Camp Nou to move up to second in LaLiga, two points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid. The hosts scored three goals in an eight-minute spell in the first half. Messi scored a fourth with a trademark free-kick on 78 minutes to put the icing on the cake. This was Messi’s first goal of the campaign after enduring a season hampered by a calf injury. There were big question marks over Ernesto Valverde and Barca when they lost to Granada two weeks ago but they’ve responded with four successive wins.

Losers

Bundesliga title contenders

As mentioned, it was a weekend to forget for Bayern Munich. Their loss to Hoffenheim meant they dropped to third place behind Mönchengladbach and Wolfsburg. Borussia Dortmund meanwhile twice squandered the lead and conceded a 90th-minute own goal from Manuel Akanji as their trip to Freiburg ended in a third consecutive league draw. Dortmund are now eighth on 12 points, four points off the top. RB Leipzig’s early season form has dissipated after failing to win their last two league games. Julian Nagelsmann’s side could only secure a 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen over the weekend leaving them fourth in the table.

Inter Milan & Napoli

Inter Milan suffered their first loss of the season going down 2-1 to defending champions Juventus at San Siro. The loss ended their perfect start to the season where they won six games in a row and have now dropped to second in Serie A. Napoli wasted another golden opportunity to close the gap with the leading pack with a disappointing 0-0 draw away to Torino on Sunday. The Partenopei have finished second in three of the last four seasons but the competition around them suggests finishing runners-up will be a huge task.

Atletico Madrid

A few weeks ago, Atletico looked like the team to beat in this season’s La Liga but successive draws have left them three points off the top. Diego Simeone’s side have still lost only once this season, but three draws, two at home, have left Los Rojiblancos already hoping to make up lost points in the title race.

Sylvinho and Olympique Lyon

Olympique Lyon’s winless run in Ligue 1 stretched to seven games after they lost 1-0 away to Saint-Etienne. This was their second consecutive game which has put coach Sylvinho under more pressure. The writing appears to be on the wall for Sylvinho after Lyon’s latest defeat. Will he get more time?

Things to look out for in the Premier League: Matchweek 8

Things to look out for in the Premier League: Matchweek 8

The weekend is here and there will be plenty of action in the Premier League. Anfield welcomes and old manager, whilst it could be do or die time for Tottenham and Manchester United managers. Here is a look at the big talking points ahead of kick-off. Bet on football here.

Brendan Rodgers returns to Anfield

Brendan Rodgers is looking forward to his first return to Anfield as a manager when his Leicester City make the trip to Liverpool. The Red’s seven-match winning streak came under threat in their slender 1-0 win at Sheffield United, and they have looked short of their imperious selves in the last few weeks. Rodgers was Liverpool boss for just over three seasons after taking over in the summer of 2012. He also led the club to a thrilling second-place finish in the Premier League in 2013/14. He will be hoping to cause his former club enough problems here and it will be interesting to see how it pans out.

Don’t expect another classic

Newcastle United will have a hard task when they host Manchester United in the Premier League this weekend. Both sides are experiencing some difficult spells and we might not be treated to another goal-laden encounter as was the case last season when the Red Devils emerged on top of a 3-2 scoreline. Both teams are struggling at the moment and United became only the third team this year not to have a shot on target in a Europa League game. Marcus Rashford is also injured and that could mean more trouble for the visitors as well upfront.

Tottenham to drop points on the road again

Tottenham need to recover from their mid-week battering in the Champions League against Bayern Munich. However they have serious issues at the moment and it is not guaranteed that they have what it takes to come out on top here. Spurs are winless in nine Premier League away games since beating Fulham in January. With the factors at play considered, there is great chance that Brighton will take away something from Saturday’s game.

Goals galore

Arsenal will play host to Bournemouth at their Emirates Stadium as the Gunners aim to stay in the race for a place in the Champions League. The Cherries are not regarded as good travelers, and that should come as good news for the home fans. Arsenal have scored two or more goals in each of their previous three home games in the English top-flight and we believe that they are going to extend that trend against Bournemouth. Arsenal’s defensive problems are by no means a new thing as they have conceded more than once in seven of their last 12 league matches, and the visitors should fancy their chances.

Low scoring affair

West Ham and Crystal Palace will take each other on as the Hammers hope to extend their six-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League. Both sides have conceded just 16 times in 14 Premier League matches combined this season and it is clear that their main strengths lie in defence. With that in mind, we like the look of a low scoring affair for this weekend’s contest.

Battle of the promoted sides

Two of the promoted clubs to the Premier League this season will meet on Saturday when Norwich City welcome Aston Villa at Carrow Road. Interestingly, Norwich and Villa sit side by side in 17th and 18th place, having amassed six and five points respectively since the beginning of the season. Whilst the two clubs have done well at times, they continue to find the step up from England’s second-tier tough overall. This one is going to be an interesting one and the home side might just find a way to take all three points.

Top 5 Bets for the Weekend: October 5-6

 

The last weekend before another international break serves up some exciting league football across Europe. Here are Top 5 Bets for the Weekend for you to consider. Bet on football here. 

Liverpool v Leicester City – Both Teams to Score – 1.75

League leaders face third-placed Leicester City at Anfield as they look to continue their perfect start to the season. Leicester have made a solid start to the season and have lost just once in seven games. Both the Reds and the Foxes have kept just two clean sheets in their seven league games this season. Both teams have scored in five of the last six meetings between these two rivals.

Freiburg v Borussia Dortmund – Borussia Dortmund Win – 1.60

Freiburg have made a great start to the season and sit second in the Bundesliga standings just a point behind leaders Bayern Munich. Dortmund have won just once in their last four league games. However, Lucien Favre’s men are unbeaten against the hosts since 2010 and won both fixtures last season making them huge favourites in this fixture.

West Ham v Crystal Palace – West Ham Win – 2.00

West Ham are unbeaten in six Premier League games ahead of this meeting with Crystal Palace since that 5-0 loss against Manchester City. The Eagles haven’t made a bad start themselves. They sit ninth in the table ahead of Manchester United. The Hammers have won their last two league games at home while Palace lost 4-0 in their last away game. Mauricio Pellegrini’s side are unbeaten in eight games against Palace and have won four in that span.

Real Valladolid v Atletico Madrid – Atletico Madrid Win – 1.75

La Liga title challengers Atletico will hope to extend their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions when they visit Real Valladolid this Sunday. The hosts are ninth and will definitely pose a lot of problems for Diego Simeone’s side. Atletico have lost just once in La Liga this season and are unbeaten in their last three. They won both fixtures against Valladolid who have won just once in their last five league matches. Furthermore, Atletico have beaten their hosts in their last eight meetings.

Inter Milan v Juventus – Under 2.5 Goals – 1.70

Italy’s top two and probably the only contenders of the Serie A this season, Inter Milan and Juventus, go head-to-head in the Derby d’Italia on Sunday. Inter are top of the table while the Bianconeri are second separated by just two points. Three of Inter’s last five league games have seen two or fewer goals. Their last two home games saw them win with a scoreline of 1-0. Juventus last league match saw them win 2-0 against SPAL. Four of the last five Serie A games between these two archrivals have seen Under.2.5 Goals. Therefore, this looks like a cagey low scoring affair.

 

Things to look out for in European football: October 5-6

 

 

League football will be taking a break due to the international commitments after this weekend. But before then arch-rivals Inter Milan and Juventus lock horns in the Derby d’Italia, Lionel Messi will be looking to score his first La Liga goal of the season, while AC Milan will be looking to end their three-game losing streak. Here are Things to look out for in European football: October 5-6. Bet on football here. 

Derby d’Italia

Inter Milan host Juventus on Sunday in another instalment of the Derby d’Italia. In the last few seasons, this match had less profile due to Juve’s dominance of Serie A and Inter’s decline. However, this season, Inter have already revealed their ambitions of challenging for the Scudetto having won all of their five league games already. Juventus somehow sleepwalked to their last eight consecutive Scudetto’s but now it looks like they have a worthy challenger in the Nerazzurri. Inter were brilliant at the Camp Nou in the Champions League but narrowly lost due to the brilliance of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Nonetheless, they showed they can go toe-to-toe against the bug guns. Their title credentials will be tested on Sunday. Can they beat the champions on Sunday?

RB Leipzig to bounce back?

RB Leipzig’s terrific start to the season was halted by David Wagner’s Schalke 04 who beat them 3-1 away from home last week. Most pundits have tipped Julian Nagelsmann’s side to challenge for the Bundesliga this season but they failed their first test. However, great teams are made from their ability to bounce back from defeats. On Saturday, they face Bayer Leverkusen, a team they’ve beaten in their last two meetings. The good news is, the last time Leipzig lost back to back Bundesliga games was in April 2018 therefore, they should feel confident visiting Bayer Leverkusen.

AC Milan to end their losing streak?

Since clinching the Scudetto in 2011, AC Milan are yet to win a trophy and the dreadful start to the 2019/2020 is a testament of things to come. They have lost their last three Serie A matches and have a difficult trip to Genoa this weekend. The Rossoneri are 16th in the table and boss Marco Giampaolo is facing the axe after a poor start to the campaign. They will need to improve soon given they will be facing AS Roma, Lazio, Juventus and Napoli in the next few weeks. Genoa are 18th in the table and have won just one Serie A match since March. Therefore, this is Milan’s window of opportunity to find some form and confidence.

Lyon to end run of poor form?

Lyon ended a run of seven matches without a win in all competitions by defeating German side RB Leipzig away from home in the Champions League. Still, Sylvinho’s men have not won in Ligue 1 since that 6-0 demolition of Angers in August which seems like centuries ago. In that span, they’ve lost three and drawn three of their last six league games putting pressure on Sylvinho. Furthermore, a difficult trip to Saint-Ettiene awaits on the weekend. Can they bounce back?

Lionel Messi to open his account this season?

Lionel Messi is yet to score in this season’s La Liga, with the Argentine star struggling to get fit. His absence has coincided with Barcelona’s stuttering start to the season. For the first time in a decade, Messi began the season watching on from the sidelines with the 32-year-old missing the Blaugrana’s first four games with a foot injury. The last time the Argentine missed over a month of football was back in 2015. On Sunday Barca face Sevilla, a team Messi has tormented throughout his time in Spain. The Argentine has scored 36 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions against them. Can he open his La Liga account on Sunday?

 

Winners and Losers Champions League: Matchweek 2

 

Real Madrid were stunned, Liverpool and Barcelona got away with one, while Bayern Munich obliterated Tottenham in the second group games of the Champions League. Here are the Winners and Losers. Bet on the Champions League here. 

Winners 

Serge Gnabry 

Serge Gnabry scored four goals for Bayern as they demolished Tottenham Hotspur 7-2 away from home. The Germans went behind through Son Heung-Min but were level through Joshua Kimmich’s superb 20-yard finish. The scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story given the game was fairly even at the end of the first half. Bayern scored five more goals in the second half to inflict a heavy defeat on the English side. Bayern now have two wins from two leaving the Englishmen chasing their first win.

Club Brugge

Belgian side Club Brugge snatched a huge result at the Santiago Bernabeu in a 2-2 draw against giants Real Madrid. Brugge were 2-0 up inside 39 minutes through two well-taken goals from Emmanuel Dennis. However, two goals from Madrid in the second half meant the points were shared and Brugge will not be walking away with a famous win. Club Brugge are now unbeaten in six Champions League matches having lost eight in a row before this run.

Luis Suarez

Barcelona picked up their first win of the group stages but had to work hard to see off a resilient Inter Milan side at the Camp Nou. The hosts struggled in the first half but the introduction of Arturo Vidal in the second half shifted the game’s momentum to Barcelona’s way. The Chilean setup Suarez for the equaliser. Lionel Messi squared the ball to him following a great run where he scored a fine goal to seal the win for the Catalans.

African footballers

African footballers thrived in the second match week of the Champions League. Club Brugge stunned Madrid through 21-year-old Nigerian Dennis who became the third Nigerian to score against the Spanish giants. Ajax and Cameroon keeper Andre Onana kept a clean sheet as his team defeated Valencia 3-0. Nigeria international Victor Osimhen scored his first Champions League goal. He found the net in Lille’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. Ghanaian striker Richmond Boakye scored for Red Star Belgrade in their 3-1 win over Olympiakos. Ghanaian Thomas Partey also scored for Atletico Madrid in their win over Lokomotiv Moscow. Cameroonian Jérôme Onguéné and Zambians Enock Mwepu, and Patson Daka played for RB Salzburg in their 4-3 loss to Liverpool.

Losers

Zinedine Zidane

Zidane’s first spell as Real Madrid boss was unforgettable. The European giants won three consecutive Champions League titles in his two and a half years in charge then he left. However, 12 months later, he is back. The 2-2 comeback against Brugge ensured they had not lost a third Champions League game in a row. Zidane’s win ratio is below 50% since returning to Madrid towards the end of last season. Since that embarrassing defeat in Paris, Real are now unbeaten in four games but Tuesday’s game was a reflection of the magnitude of the work they have to do to get back to the heights they were a few seasons ago.

Mauricio Pochettino

It is crazy to think Tottenham were in the Champions League final just a few months ago. On Tuesday, they received their heaviest defeat in Europe as Bayern demolished them 7-2 demolition in their sparkling new stadium. Pochettino is now under severe pressure to turn the tide for Spurs who’ve made a poor start in the season in all competitions. Tuesday’s humiliation was maybe a testament that the Argentine had taken the North Londoners as far as he can. Can he turn the tide?

The “Zero Point Cub”

So far four teams are yet to get their first points in this season’s tournament. Atalanta, who are making their first appearance in the competition, have lost both of their games and face a tough task of making the last 16. Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica and Lille have also lost both of their games and will need to improve on matchday three to have a chance of qualifying for the last 16.

 

Things to look out for in the Europa League: Matchday Two

Three Premier League teams are in action in the Europa League this week, while Celtic have an early opportunity to wreak some revenge in Glasgow. Here are our Things to look out for in the Europa League on Matchday Two. Bet on the Europa League here.

Arsenal’s injured defenders to get more minutes

Arsenal’s Europa League campaign began in ideal fashion a fortnight ago with a comprehensive win at Eintracht Frankfurt in which, theoretically, was their hardest fixture in the group. They welcome Standard Liege to the Emirates on Matchday Two, where fans will be hoping for another glimpse of defenders Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Kieren Tierney. The former duo have spent over eight months on the sidelines through injury, while summer signing Tierney arrived in north London following surgery on a hernia. All three featured in the Gunners’ EFL Cup game last week and could well be in the starting 11 following the international break. More minutes here would give fans something to cheer.

A low-scoring affair between AZ Alkmaar and Manchester United

Although it’s been under two months, it seems as though Manchester United’s 4-0 win against Chelsea was years ago. That was the only game this season in which the Red Devils managed to score more than once and only the second time it’s happened since March. Marcus Rashford made a much-needed return against Arsenal on Monday night but was not convincing, which will have worried manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of their trip to AZ Alkmaar. United lifted the trophy in their last Europa League campaign in 2016/17, when their final eight matches all featured two goals or fewer. It would take a wild change in form for it to be any different here.

Can Wolves follow their first league win with another in Europe?

Wolves picked up their first Premier League win of the season on Saturday as Watford were easily defeated at Molineux. They will be hoping to repeat the trick against Besiktas, who haven’t won any of their last five games in any competition. Defeat to Braga on Matchday One has already left Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in a perilous position, and a second loss would make progression to the knockout stages highly unlikely. Wolves built a reputation last season as a side able to disrupt the well-established top six – can they claim another timely scalp?

In form Dzeko to torment Wolfsberger

A season that started slowly for AS Roma has suddenly burst into life with four wins in five games across all competitions. Lecce were the latest team to fall on Sunday, thanks to a second-half header from Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian has been on the scoresheet in five of Roma’s seven games this term and there is little doubt that hopes will be pinned on him when the Italian side face Wolfsberger. AS Roma last competed in the tournament in 2016/17, when Dzeko finished as joint top scorer. On current form his quality will be hard to tame.

Will Celtic and Cluj serve up another high-scoring game?

Scottish giants Celtic are in the Europa League for yet another campaign after they were eliminated in the Champions League qualifiers. The team that defeated them? CFR Cluj, against whom they can exact revenge tonight after fate placed them together in Europa League Group E. The Romanian side progressed in the Champions League preliminary round after a 4-3 win at Celtic Park, a game in which the hosts had twice led. After the game Celtic manager Neil Lennon admitted that his side had “shot themselves in the foot” and bemoaned their defensive errors. If the Bhoys haven’t learned their lesson, there could be even more chaos this time around.

Big Game Focus: Arsenal v Standard Liege

 

Arsenal will be looking to continue their fine Europa League record at the Emirates Stadium as they take on Belgian side Standard Liège. Like Arsenal, the Belgians also won their first match against Vitória Guimarães. Here’s the Big Game Focus with some betting tips. Bet on the game here. 

The Gunners overcame a tough Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in Germany and will be looking to make it two wins from two when they host Group F rivals Standard Liège. Arsenal’s run to the final in last season’s competition had a lot to do with their home form. Can it continue tonight?

Standard will be looking for their first win in seven visits to England. They registered a comfortable 2-0 win on Matchday One against Portuguese outfit Vitória Guimarães and a draw or a rare win will be welcome. Can they inflict upon Arsenal their first defeat in this season’s competition?

Betting preview

The Gunners have won all four encounters with Standard Liege in Europe, scoring 15 goals in the process. Arsenal have been ahead at half time in their last five home matches in the Europa League. You can back a Home Win in the First Half at odds of 1.83. 

Seven of Arsenal’s last ten games in the Europa League have seen Over 2.5 Goals. For that reason, you can back over 2.5 Goals in this clash at odds of 1.46. 

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored eight goals in the Gunners’ last eight matches. He’s scored in all but one of Arsenal eight matches this season in all competitions. You can back Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Anytime Goalscorer at odds of 1.70. 

Team news

Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney missed Arsenal’s 1-1 draw away to Manchester United on Monday night but should return on Thursday. Rob Holding should also get some minutes under his belt following a spell out injured.

Zinho Vanheusden has returned from injury in recent weeks and his return could allow Merveille Bokadi to move from centre-back to central midfield. Orlando Sa is still unavailable for Standard Liege through injury.

Possible line-ups

Arsenal: Martinez, Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Tierney, Torreira, Ceballos, Nelson, Willock, Ozil, Aubameyang

Standard Liege: Milinkovic-Savic, Vojvoda, Vanheusden, Laifis, Gavory, Bastien, Bokadi, M’Poku, Carcela-Gonzalez, Emond, Limbombe