Just some thoughts from my blog on tonights games...
Another round of Champions league matches this week and the British clubs have a mixed bag of fixtures. Tonight, Manchester United host Roma and whilst they won’t expect a repeat of last season’s 7-1 thrashing of the Italians, the home crowd will go to Old Trafford expecting nothing less than 3 points. Personally I don’t think it will be an easy one for the Red Devils and I don’t expect there to be a goal feast this time around. The 8/11 at
BlueSq and
Stan James for the home win is still on the skinny side and I’d be tempted to look to the total goals market. Back Under 2.5 goals at
Canbet at 101/100.
Arsenal travel to Romania looking to build upon their 3-0 win against Seville in the first round of games and should be good enough to pick up the 3 points in Bucharest. Steaua are apparently in a bit of disarray and Arsenal’s recent form suggests they can take advantage and make a giant stride towards qualification already. Again, the price on the Arsenal win is short at 4/6 (BetDirect,
Paddy Power,
Skybet,
Stan James) but its worth taking.
Walter Smith faces up to Gerard Houllier’s Lyon side tonight in France and on the face of it it looks like a tricky tie, after all this is the same Lyon who have built a fearless reputation in the Champions league in recent years. But dig below the surface and you’ll find a side that are struggling for form in Ligue 1. Several of their star performers were allowed to leave in the Summer and they fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the Nou Camp on Matchday 1. Rangers might just go there fancying their chances tonight. Walter Smith will set them up to play 4-5-1, although the loss of Darcheville is a bit of a blow. If Rangers can hold out the first half hour, they might just sneak back to Glasgow with a point, or more. You can have as much as 10-1 on Rangers at
Bet365, which I feel is ridiculously high. If you don’t want to risk that one, then my suggestion is to back them on the Asian Handicap (+1, +1.5), which means that even if they get beaten by a goal you’ll still pick up some winnings. Best price available is 91/100 at
Canbet.
Of all the other games tonight, Barcelona appear to be hitting top gear in La Liga and travel to Stuttgart who were very disappointing at Ibrox two weeks ago and haven’t made the best of starts to their Bundesliga campaign. Back Henry, Messi, Ronaldinho and co to return to the Nou Camp with all three points. Barcelona win, 8/11 at
Boylesports,
Coral,
Ladbrokes and
Skybet.