Live on Skysports 2, 4 & ITV1: Tue 19.45: Man City are 8/11 (William Hill) to make a losing start in the Champions League, at Real Madrid.
The Spanish title winners host the Premier League victors in what looks set to be a titanic tussle as the group stages of the Champions League get under way and it’s Real Madrid that are favourites to pick up all three points at the Bernabeu.
Jose Mourinho’s charges are odds-on at 8/11 with William Hill to get the better of Manchester City, Skybet’s 9/2 outsiders and that’s probably a fair assessment given Madrid’s outstanding home form in Europe under the ex-Chelsea manager.
Admittedly Los Blancos have been struggling domestically but Roberto Mancini’s men have hardly been tearing up trees in that department and the fact that City found the going tough across their away matches in the competition last term, also counts against them.
A narrow home win is the pick here then, with Ladbrokes pricing the hosts at 3/1 to shade it by one and BetVictor chalking Real Madrid up at 9/1 to grab the game’s only goal.
Over in France, Arsenal can fare a little better than their Premier League counterparts. The Gunners are brimming with confidence having carded back-to-back wins, including Saturday’s 6-1 hammering of Southampton and they head to a Montpelier side who come into the clash having lost three of their opening five Ligue 1 fixtures.
Stan James’ 5/4 for Arsene Wenger’s rampant troops to make a flying start in Group B looks too big then while a case can be made for Lukas Podolski to get amongst the goals. The German struck a majestic free-kick against Saints at the weekend to take his tally to two in his last two for the North London outfit and he’s 11/5 (Coral) to notch at any time in the Stade de la Mosson.
Recommended Bets:
Double on Real Madrid and Arsenal – 14/5 (William Hill)
Compare all Champions League odds and bet at the best price.
