Live on ITV 1 & Skysports: Wed 19.45: Arsenal should field a strong team to ensure qualification against Partizan but are just 1/9 (Stan James).
At that price, you certainly won’t be backing the Gunners to win in 90 minutes as they really must win to be sure of making the last 16. Partizan have 0 points in this year’s Champions League group stages and just 1 goal, actually coming against Arsenal, but expect the home side to keep a shut-out tonight; an Arsenal clean sheet is 8/15 at Ladbrokes while a win to nil eeks out a touch more returns at 8/13 (Paddy Power).
One thing goal backers have on their side is that 3 teams can finish on 12 points in Arsenal’s group, all with similar head to head records meaning goals must be scored to ensure qualification. Given the amount of chances that Arsenal have been creating, they are eyeing a decent sized win. 3-0 to the home side is 13/2 with and 4-0 comes in at 8/1 (Blue Square). Samir Nasri, excellent at the weekend, is 5/4 at Skybet to net one of those.
Shaktar need a point against Braga to progress with Arsenal and at 8/11 (Betdaq) should get all 3.
Despite being a dead rubber, AC Milan are still a very tempting even money with William Hill to compound Ajax’s fairly miserable European adventure in Group G, which has ended with the resignation of manager Martin Jol. No extras needed here, just a decent single on the Milan outfit. Real Madrid are also through from G and are 1/2 at 888sport to beat lowly Auxerre. The odds are actually reasonable but it’s anyone’s guess as to who will line-up for Madrid so perhaps it’s best left.
In Group F, Chelsea are Ladbrokes’ 11/5 outsiders to win away in Marseille and with no chance of slipping to 2nd place, you would have to be wary of the Blues losing again; Marseille are 11/8 at Betfred. In reality, Europe has been something of a sanctuary for Chelsea away from turbulent times in the Premier League and they can force a draw here (12/5 Stan James).
Finally, in Group E, Bayern are through in 1st and face a Basel side who must win to sneak into 2nd but the away side are 7/2 (Coral) to achieve it. There is a real chance Basel could shade this, Bayern simply can’t afford any injuries as their Bundesliga season lurches to another bad result; have a look at Basel +1 at 11/10 at Totesport or perhaps even the 11/4 about the away side in the draw no bet market (bet365). Roma only need a point (13/5 William Hill) in Cluj to ensure 2nd but Basel will be keeping their fingers crossed.
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