Champions League Betting: Arsenal v Olympiacos

Champions League / Tobias Gourlay / 28 September 2009 / Leave a comment

Vito Mannone might be alright after all.

Tobias Gourlay previews Arsenal's Champions League clash with the champions of Greece.

Best Bet: Back Arsenal -1.75 at [1.96] on the Asian Handicap

After the near-embarrassment of their 3-2 win at Standard Liège a fortnight ago, Matchday Two of the Champions League demands that, for the first time ever, Arsenal play Olympiacos at home in Group H. The Gunners, who were on an unbeaten streak of 24 European games at the Emirates Stadium and Highbury until they lost 3-1 to Manchester United in the semi-finals last season, are [1.25] to beat a team that has done nothing but lose on eight previous trips to England.

Indeed, the Greeks' appalling record on English soil might be dwelled upon. They scored only once in those eight visits - in a 3-1 defeat to the successful Liverpool team of 2004/05 - and conceded 27 times. If you believe Arsenal will teach them again what a cricket score is, you might like Over 2.5 Goals at [1.7] or Over 3.5 Goals at [2.72].

The goals Arsenal let in to United last season were the only ones they conceded in six Champions League home games. The Arsenal Clean Sheet is a [1.82] shot. It is easier to feel confident about that bet in the light of Vito Mannone's strong performance at Craven Cottage on Saturday. The young Italian goalkeeper improved so drastically on his efforts against Liège that he was the outstanding player in a high-tempo match that included many chances for Fulham but eventually brought him a second consecutive clean sheet in the league.

Alternatively, the Asian Handicap line is drawn around Arsenal at -1.75. That is, if Arsène Wenger's team win by three goals, you will collect on all of your [1.96] wager; if they win by two, you'll collect on half of your stake and the other half will be returned; if they can't manage that, you lose.

Since their opening win at home to AZ Alkmaar, Olympiacos have got themselves a new coach. Temuri Ketsbaia, who was dismissed before the AZ game, has been replaced by Zico, who said he was surprised to get a job offer ahead of Luciano Spalletti, whom the press had also made the favourite. The Greek champions travel to the Emirates having played four games in the last 10 days, and Zico has admitted that his new charges are exhausted.

Tags: Arsenal, Champions League Betting, European Football Betting, Football Betting, Football Tips, Olympiacos, Tobias Gourlay, Vito Mannone, Zico