CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BETTING PICK - A.C MILAN V ARSENAL

Champions League

2012-02-15 - A.C Milan vs Arsenal

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Match Preview :

Both sides knows that being a two legged affair the match will not be settled in 90 minutes.

As it is now the dilemma facing AC Milan heading into their first meeting with Arsenal is whether to keep things tight at the back and ensure that the contest remains evenly poised in the return leg, or look to take a healthy lead into the return leg and make home advantage count.

Arsenal meanwhile will be loking to get an away goal to make things easier for them in the return leg on the 6th March.

As it is now, history favours Arsenal as they have never been eliminated by Italian opposition over the course of a two-legged tie. Their only previous meeting with AC Milan in the Champions League saw them beat the Serie A side, with a goalless draw in London followed by a 2-0 win in Italy.

In fact, Arsenal have won both of their two Champions League games to date at the San Siro, with Inter Milan beating them 5-1 in 2003.

AC Milan will also need no reminding that they have fallen to English opposition at the last-16 stage in each of their last three attempts, they also failed to score in five of those six games.

But Milan will be looking to change all that however, they have won only four of their last 19 matches in the Champions League - with those victories coming against Auxerre (twice), Viktoria Plzen and BATE Borisov.

Team News :

A.C Milan Team News :
AC Milan have also been struggling to cope with injuries of late. Defenders Alessandro Nesta, Mario Yepes, Brazil forward Pato, one-time Tottenham midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng and former Arsenal utility man Mathieu Flamini have all now returned to training, but wil not start this match as they are not match fit.


Arsenal Team News :
Arsenal will be without Per Mertesacker tonight as the German centre-half suffered an ankle injury against Sunderland on Saturday. Meanwhile, Striker Thierry Henry, who came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner at the Stadium of Light, takes in the final fixture of his loan spell before returning to New York Red Bulls.

Kieran Gibbs is fit again following a groin problem, and could slot in at left-back allowing Thomas Vermaelen to start alongside Laurent Koscielny, while Switzerland international Johan Djourou is another option for Wenger to consider.

Gervinho has finished international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, but the Ivory Coast forward,is not due back until later this week. However, Defenders Carl Jenkinson (back) and Andre Santos (ankle) are still out, along with midfielders Abou Diaby (hamstring) and Jack Wilshere (ankle).

Predictions

Go for Arsenal and accept the handicap based on their good record against the Milan side in the past and expect it to continue tonight.

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Go for the draw here.