Champions League
2012-09-18 - Montpellier vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : Europe : Champions League
Tuesday 18th September - Kickoff 7:45pm
Montpellier
The French side come into this Group B opener in an awful run of form. Domestically they sit in 16th place with just 1 win from their 5 games played.
I expected them to struggle a little this year given that Girard has seen his top scorer (Giroud) leave to ironically Arsenal. Without the Frenchman's firepower up front Montpellier have lost 3 of their 5 games this season.
At the Stade de la Mosson the hosts haven't won a game this season. They opened the year with a 1-1 draw with Toulouse and then current league leaders Marseilles won 1-0.
Last season the French side were excellent at home at one point winning 12 of 13 games in a run from August to April. Unfortunately this year hasn't started so well and unless they find their form they will struggle against Arsenal.
Arsenal
The Gunners are flying at the minute in complete contrast to their opponents. Arsenal are in 3rd place domestically having won at the weekend and so far remain unbeaten in 4 games.
The Gunners started the season slowly with 2 draws both 0-0 but since then have produced 2 excellent displays. Wenger's men won at Anfield (0-2) and last weekend beat Southampton (6-1). That's now 8 goals scored in 2 games whilst 3 clean sheets in 4 games is very impressive.
In recent years the Gunners on their travels in the Champions League have just the 1 win in 4 losing the last 2. Milan dominated them 4-0 in the knock out stages whilst Olympiakos beat them 3-1. Arsenal's last away win came in France at Marseilles in a 1-0 win so they have previous in this country.
Betting Verdict
The Gunners are favourites in this one and I think that's fair purely on the basis of the hosts poor start to the season.
Arsenal have won away at Anfield this year which is very impressive and for me a tougher place to win than Montpellier. Arsenal also won in France last year against the current league leaders so it looks good for them.
Rather than taking the Gunners straight up I will take them to win by 1 and by 2 in a dutch that gives us a much better price than the fixed win.
I don't think this is as clear cut as some people think but the Gunners should have enough but this won't be a big win.
Good Luck
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Montpellier 0-1 Arsenal
BEST BETTING TIP :
Dutch:- Arsenal to win by 1 goal at 4.00 Bet365
- Arsenal to win by 2 goals at 7.00 Ladbrokes
Net Price 2.55
