Champions League Preview and Odds
27th November, 2007
As we reach the crunch in the Champions League group stages, Manchester United and Arsenal have both confirmed they will be in the knockout stages, but will both be looking to secures wins to secure top spot in their respective groups.
Arsenal face the trickier tie of the two, travelling to Sevilla, who also have eyes on claiming the top spot. Sevilla have won three of their four group games, losing only to Arsenal at the Emirates. Sevilla’s domestic form has been poor, compounded by the 2-1 weekend loss to Mallorca putting them 10th in La Liga. Arsenal are yet to concede in the group stages and have a good record in Spain, unbeaten in their last three visits to the country. The away side do go into the game without key strikers Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor, along with their captain William Gallas, who has been given the night off. Sevilla are favourites to take three points at around evens with Betfred, whilst Arsenal are available at a good value 2/1.
Manchester United welcome Sporting Lisbon to Old Trafford, and will be looking to clinch the top spot in Group F with a win over Ronaldo’s old club. Sir Alex Ferguson has told how he is determined to secure first place in this game so that the final game against Roma is rendered pointless, with a key Premiership clash against Liverpool a few days later. He has told how some fringe players are likely to get a shot in the game, such as Tomasz Kuszczak, Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea. The Portuguese side need a win to keep their qualification hopes alive, so will be looking to cause the second United shock defeat in four days. Paddy Power are confident of a United win, giving odds of 4/9, whilst Sporting are closer to 13/2.
Lyon must beat Barcelona to keep their qualification fate in their own hands, and the home advantage will give them some hope. The top two in Group G face off, with Internazionale in a dominant position in the group. They take on Fenerbahce at home, who will qualify if they secure a win. Rangers travel to Stuttgart, who cannot even qualify for the UEFA Cup after not claiming a single point in so far. Rangers will go there knowing that a win would book their place in the last 16, and will no doubt put in a strong performance.
Download our free Gaming Alerts software, which has already provided four great specials for the upcoming Champions League games. For example: Double Winnings on all scorecast bets! Do you really want to miss out? Elsewhere, CSKA Moscow face PSV, Dymano Kiev take on Roma, and Steaua Bucuresti welcome Slavia Prague.
