So, as expected, Barcelona spanked AC Milan last night with yet another virtuoso performance from Lionel Messi. I’m sure he’s getting younger. Wasn’t he 26 last year? Anyway, as long as he’s about, Barcelona will laugh off any suggestion of being in decline. A flawless 4-0 victory rendered Milan’s first leg feat pointless and the sensational Catalans will be in the hat for the quarters. Barcelona are the only team that I have ever loved apart from my own. I feel cold about the rest of the competition. But it would simply be wrong to hate Barcelona. It’s what football is all about. Barcelona embody the beautiful game and it’s an honour to be around to see them play.
Right, Spanish nut-stroking aside, let’s get down to tonight’s offerings. Arsenal travel to Munchen to face an excellent Bayern side in an attempt to overturn a 3-1 first leg deficit. Some think that Gervinho would have more chance of nutmegging Jaap Stam with a beach ball in a telephone box than Arsenal have of progressing to the quarters. Having Jack Wilshere sidelined through injury really won’t help but Arsenal do still have some top players and shouldn’t fear this tie. Indeed they can look forward to the occasion at the stunning Allianz Arena and try to play with freedom.
We think that this one could be a draw – an outcome which sees odds of 4.50 with William Hill. If you fancy Arsenal for the improbable win then odds of 8.00 might boil your potatoes. But, amidst rumours of Arsene Wenger resting players, an Arsenal defeat is the favoured result with the bookies at 1.40
In the other tie Malaga play their home leg against Porto, after losing the first 1-0. It’s a tough scoreline to tackle. They will need to balance their desire to score with a commitment keeping a clean sheet. Porto continue to compete despite seemingly losing big players every year from their interminable production line of talent. Malaga will offer sterner opposition at home but Porto are favourites to win the match at 2.60.
You can get Porto and Bayern to both qualify at a miserly 1.26.
If you want to see some decent odds then what about predicting a goal glut in Munchen? Over 3 goals in the game is at 2.37. Or what about 2 draws at 13.95? soccersweep might have a punt on that.
Enjoy peeps….
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