Champions League 15-16th FEB

[slick]

UEFA Champions League betting and tips 15-16th FEB

15 Feb 19:45 AC Milan v Tottenham 1.70 3.75 5.00
15 Feb 19:45 Valencia v Schalke 1.72 3.60 5.00
16 Feb 19:45 Arsenal v Barcelona 4.00 3.80 1.83
16 Feb 19:45 Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk 2.00 3.40 3.80

Odds Bet365

[FC Basher]

Before all the Barcelona are invincable backers start how great they are,Barcelonas poor away record in this competition think theyve had about 3 away wins last two seasons in this tourney,im on Arsenal DNB at 2s for value,yes you cant deny Barcelonas quality as a side and Arsenal have defencive frailties,on that Barcelona are hardly water tight in this comp themselves,but theres no value in backing Barcelona imho for the above reasons,so im opting for the Gunners.

[HastGill1]

Spurs have got a bit more steel and experience than I expected this season, Sat's game was a good example I think they would have drawn that game at best in previous years or even lost but they have a belief in their play we havent really seen previously, they have done well to be so close to the top 4..

That being said, Milan look good recently, I understand they have numerous injury problems but they seem to have been going on for a fair while now and havent affected them hugely, an idea of the starting line-up or impact of the possible missings would be useful from a good Italian punter..any side that can call on Pato, Ibra, Robinho, Cassano (ineligable for this?) up front should be respected.

Harry will be going over there with the intention of bringing a goal back, it will be vital they do that - losing 2-1 would not be a disaster, if Spurs only go down by the odd goal the return leg will be fascinating.

Crouch has often been v.useful to Spurs in the CL and might be used again, he can hold up the ball better than anyone else they have and provides a useful outlet, Lennon is in great form currently also and isn't the type of technical winger Milan will be used to facing, the panic that Bale's pace caused against Inter was surprising and Lennon could be just as useful if they can get him on the ball enough..

I'll be focusing on the goals market as the Milan price isn't high enough for me, I'll be interested in any comments regarding the strength of their midfield with the missings, def an area Spurs can exploit for me on the counter. Think Milan have to win this game if they want to progress, Spurs home form is a rival for anyone in Europe in an evening kick off at the Lane. I don't really see this game being that cagey, Spurs won't play it tight they don't have the game plan in their armoury to do it and Milan will be aware of the need to win this game to progress, overs looks decent to me..

Over 2.5 Goals - 1.97 (Ladbrokes) 5/10
Over 3 Goals - 2.5 (Bet365) 3/10

Bale hasn't travelled with the squad so thats that one settled, Harry has suggested he will be playing Sandro in the middle and this is a risk for me as he is unproven and seems to go missing at times, big risk to start him imo, Pienaar would be a better option. VDV looks likely to be fit and Crouch should be fit after minor back problems. Think the likely Spurs line up tomorrow will be as follows:


---------------Gomes-----------------

Corluka-----Daws----Gallas-----Ekotto

Lennon---Palacios---Sandro---Kranjcar

-----------------VDV------------------

----------------Crouch----------------

Subs: Cudicini, Hutton, Bassong, Modric, Pienaar, Defoe, Pav

Palacios is a decent player who will be busy but the midfield looks quite reliant on Lennon to create something, Kranjcar has done well in the last couple of games but isn't a regular starter for a reason. Sandro wasn't even registered for the group games. If VDV starts dropping deep to get more of the ball Crouch is going to cut a very isolated figure, as I said in my original post think Harry's instructions will be to press the midfield and don't give them time on the ball.
Ibrahimovic has looked close to unplayable when I have watched him this season and he will fancy his chances against Gallas and Dawson, Pato and Robinho I guess will also be starting in a three pronged attack. Looked at the odds of Ibrahimovic anytime goalscorer but he is pretty skinny at 2.25, might have a nibble on 1st goalscorer at 5.5 (Skybet). My two main bets stand though.

[FC Basher]

Ekotto had a nightmare against Inter,Palacios is someone id rather not see play if for the reason he gives the ball away to often.I wish Huddlestone was fit to give our midfield more solidity,it very much looks like irs going to be a backs to the wall job,and I can only hope we dont capitulate like we did against Inter.I certainly hope theres not alot of goals and can keep the game alive for the second leg,but I can see why people might want to bet on them two suggested bets.

[HastGill1]

What do you think of the Arsenal v Barca first leg rc? I remember the pressing and instant closing down of the Arsenal players in the previous knockout tie between the two (similar to the way they played against R.Madrid earlier this season) and Arsenal just couldn't cope with it, two of the most impressive club performances I have ever seen..Barca's poor away record in the CL this season can't be ignored I guess but their away record in La Liga is superb.

[FC Basher]

Arsenal must be wise to Barcelona by now,can they move the ball quickly the answer to that is yes weve seen them do it,they have Willshire now in place and maybe its time to show hes worth.Nasri is a player that would have helped them unlock Barcelona,but im reading hes over hes hamstring but wont be risked.

[HastGill1]

Originally Posted by FC Basher

Arsenal must be wise to Barcelona by now,can they move the ball quickly the answer to that is yes weve seen them do it,they have Willshire now in place and maybe its time to show hes worth.Nasri is a player that would have helped them unlock Barcelona,but im reading hes over hes hamstring but wont be risked.

Mmm..not so sure, Barca are on a different level with the players they have, Arsenal look to me like a poor mans Barca, they are good on the ball but lack the quality that Barca have and their defence is pretty poor even by Premiership standards. Villa or Van Persie? Xavi or Fabregas? Iniesta or Arshavin? Don't see many of the Arsenal players coming out on top in the comparison stakes and thats without mentioning Messi. Pedro has had a brilliant season so far and is close to getting to the next level, Puyol is missing and that is a blow I don't know who they will bring in. Goals again for me in this one see both sides scoring. It should be a cracking game.

[FC Basher]

Hast,I fully understand were your coming from,matching player for player,but although a very fair point,but if were going to match player for player football betting would be all to easy to fathem out a result.Barcelona we clearly cant dismiss,but we also give Arsenal respect,have the bookies got the odds correct,I would say no,because away from home for whatever reason 3 away wins against teams that would have a hope of winning the champions league,I see league form as only a basis for morale,as champions league games are a different kettle of fish for both managers and players.Would it be fair to say in a poll most punters would go for Barcelona? yes imho,I wouldnt bet on this game myself because I wouldnt trust either side at thoose odds,but home advantage and the draw im willing to take,ill wait to see the final line ups,but it will only be a small bet anyway,especially now Nasri looks unlikley to play.

Good luck with what you go for,I was going to suggest both teams to score,but the odds are pretty short.

I know what about
Inter v Spurs over 2.5 & Arsenal v Barcelona both teams to score, double

[mij0sim]

Arsenal is underestimated here.Barca is the best team in the world , i have no doubts about that , but Arsenal isnt that weak on the other hand.Also Arsenal is home team here and there are two games,so Barca dont need to push for the win.Dont get me wrong , they will try to win , but win is not must for them.

Arsenal have problems in defense , Djourou is at this time the best defender , which is problem IMO.He isnt bad but shouldnt be the best . Arsene Wenger need one more CD and he didnt do anything about that in transfer window.That is mistake.
This squad is better comparing to last year which played Barca.
They are one year older, Wilshere is better than Denilson, RVP than Bendtner , Walcott will play from the start and Song is playing the best football at the moment.Defense is worse but i cant get all Nasri can play.
As i said Barca is the best in the world, Xavi,Iniesta , Messi and my favourite Villa are great players but i think Arsenal have some kind of chance, at least in first match.So odds offered looks like value for me.
I will take Arsenal 1x but dont know stake yet and Arsenal to win for fun.
It can be 0-3 but think will be much closer game.GL

[SuperTyke]

Hi guys,

I have a gut feeling that the game will end all square tonight, but I think there will be some goals scored.

I personally think 1-1, and at Skybet you can get 7/1 on that.

2-2 you can get 66/1 and 3-3 you can get a whopping 550/1! Two top quality attacking sides, but also, two sides who aren't over brilliant at the back. Could spell goals.

I wouldn't rule out any of these scorelines tonight. I might have a fiver on 2-2 and a cheeky fiver on 3-3.

Good luck all,

ST

[FC Basher]

think your odds are wrong ST, 2-2 is around 14s and 3-3 40's

[ONEDUNME]

I think it may have been RCgills that I had a difference of opinion with about Danny Alves. My view is that, in any other team (i.e, one that didn't spend 70% of its time in possession of the football) he would struggle as he just isn't a very good defender.

I know Arsenal's strength isn't to play it wide and bang it in the middle but I'd throw Theo Walcott at Alves at every opportunity until he either gets sent off or leads to the cross/free kick that proves crucial. We are all expecting a "total football" display but Arsenal are often guilty of overplaying through the middle, looking for the killer pass, until they just loose possession.

I don't rate Bendtnermuch but I feel that, while the world is waiting for a feast of beautiful football, his big ugly old fashioned power in the box could be the difference tonight.

Puyol is missing tonight and I think Arsenal can win this game. If they don't, they can forget the next round.

[FC Basher]

Im looking at Shaktar as a bet,Roma aint been overly convincing in the group stages,although the home win against Bayern looks good the home defeat by Basel dosent,they did finish second but on a -1 goal difference,Shaktar aint no great shakes,but could snatch a win wouldnt be a surprise,odds of just under 3/1 is a fair bet,DNB is around 11/8.

Shaktar aint play played for over a week so being alot fresher might be another plus.

[FC Basher]

Couple more bets for me
1 Over 2.5 @ 13/20 - Arsenal game
2 Over 2.5 @ 5/4 - Roma game
3pts double

Shaktar to win 5/2 bet365
3pts

[HastGill1]

Originally Posted by FC Basher

Im looking at Shaktar as a bet,Roma aint been overly convincing in the group stages,although the home win against Bayern looks good the home defeat by Basel dosent,they did finish second but on a -1 goal difference,Shaktar aint no great shakes,but could snatch a win wouldnt be a surprise,odds of just under 3/1 is a fair bet,DNB is around 11/8.

Shaktar aint play played for over a week so being alot fresher might be another plus.

Shakhtar havent played a competitive game in months, so I would prob avoid..