Champions League
2012-09-18 - Montpellier vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Champions League
Tuesday 18 September 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Montpellier
Montpellier were the surprise winners of the French domestic Championship last season and they get the chance to participate in the Champions League for the first time. They will feel they can get out of the Group they have been given, although will need to improve their performances from the early part of the season.
They are 16th in Ligue 1 having gained just 4 points from their opening 5 games this season, but they were not expected to be a side challenging to retain their title from a year ago. With the likes of Arsenal, Schalke and Olympiacos making up the rest of the Group, Montpellier will need to protect their home turf beginning with this one.
The team have lost 3 of their last 4 games coming into this one, while they have failed to win any of their 2 home games this season. Montpellier did end last season by winning 12 of their final 14 games at home, while drawing the other 2.
Arsenal
Arsenal have made a very good start to the Premier League season and it has some of the fans and media believing they can make a genuine attempt at winning the title for the first time since 2004. The loss of Robin Van Persie and Alex Song has been forgotten for the time being as they get their Champions League campaign started.
The side have won their last 2 games in the Premier League and have moved up to 3rd in the table. They will be feeling confident of progressing through to the next stage of the Champions League from a Group containing Montpellier, Schalke and Olympiacos and will want to get qualification done and dusted so they can rest players in the latter stages of the Group.
The Gunners have lost just 1 of their last 8 away games as they travel over to France, although their recent travelling record in the Champions League has been disappointing. Arsenal are 3-1-8 in their last 12 away games in this competition, although it has to be said they are 5-2-0 in their opening away game in the Group Stage over the last 7 seasons.
Abou Diaby should return to the squad for the game, while Olivier Giroud may be given the start against his former club.
Head to Head
This will be their first meeting in a competitive game.
Prediction
I was really hoping the Arsenal price would have stabilised at the 2.45 I saw earlier last week, but the 6-1 win over Southampton at the weekend and the continued poor form of Montpellier has seen the price drop and it looks set to continue in that downward spiral.
However, I still like the away win at odds against.
Arsenal have been playing well and have a decent record in their opening away game in the Group Stage, despite an overall disappointing away form in the Champions League. They also won in France last season when beating Marseille 0-1 and the lack of experience of Montpellier could be shown up here.
I also expect Arsene Wenger will have a quick word with Olivier Giroud to get the inside scoop on the home team and that should give them the edge here.
Montpellier won't be an easy task, but their opening form has been poor and this is their first Champions League game so the occasion may just be a little too much for them and backing Arsenal at 2.25 looks the call.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Montpellier 0-2 Arsenal
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Arsenal to win @ 2.25
