My bets are both teams to score in Benfica game and Juve not to lose - Double @2/1
I cannot see Benfica not conceding, they also have a decent goalscoring record whilst the loss of Freddie Ljungburg will be a blow for Arsenal and I cannot see them winning it.
my main bets will be Inter to win and the draw between Benfica - Barca. I think Inter's side is much better than Villareal's one especially after the Spanish problems. Barca,of course, is much better than Benfica but after the defence's problems i think that the draw will be the best result for both (of course Benfica want to win but i think that everything depends on Barcelona). I expect to be a close game, the same as my team's game (Panathinaikos) against Barelona in the stages. Probably, 0-0 in that game.
Remember to put up your thoughts on those English and Scottish games in our British forum and you'll get some top feedback on them.
As for tonight, I think I'll give the games a miss, save for a small interest in Benfica on the handicap.
Was has made all the pertinent points, and while Barca could cut loose in this one, I don't think that's what they will go out to do. Keeping it tight and keeping a clean sheet will be job 1, with something like a 1-1 draw ideal for taking care of the tie in Spain. Benfica too will be looking to keep things tight and nick one towards the end, so I can't see either side being particularly adventurous(although with Barca's attacking talent anything can happen.)
Nothing to help with your picks tonight, but some interesting stuff I found:
Barcelona will have a chance to meet up with one of its former star Ronald Koeman who in 1992 scored a sensational free kick in the 1-0 win which gave Barcelona its only European Cup title. Tonight, Koeman will be leading Benfica (as a coach) against his former club Barcelona. Koeman, was also the assistant coach of Barcelona in the 1998-1999 season and is also a teammate of current Barcelona coach Rijkaard at Ajax and in the Dutch national team.
In the other game as everyone is aware Patrick Viera the stalwart of the Arsenal flagship left to join Juventus in July. On contrary Thiery Henry was bought over from Juventus by Wenger in 1999. So what do you make of that, both the greats to show their prowess against their former teams???
GL to all with your bets its a no bet games for me as the 1st leg is always tricky.
A stat well worth noting is that there have been no away wins in the first legs of the Quarter Final or Semi Final of the CL since 2002 - will that continue tonight?
there“s no german team in Champions league but I want to make some preview....
Benfica Lisboa - FC Barcelona
Barca is the best european team in my eyes ( i post Barca as CL winner in another thread) and benfica miss nuno gomez,a very important player for their offense.So,Barca must only have a look to the captain Simao - now the importantest player for offense. Barca miss a few defense players.Puyol,Marquez and Edmilson but Ronaldinho is back tonight. IMO Barca will make the first step into the next level!
my punt:
Barca
Arsenal - Juve uhh... Arsenal isn“t the best at the moment in premier league,Juve is on the top in italy.BUT they miss Pavel Nedved,in my eyes the best juve-player this season.Arsenal is full of motivation and they have a home clash tonight.To win in italy is very difficult,so when Arsenal go to the next round,than they have to win tonight at home.Wenger hopes that Campell,Reyes and Ljungberg are fit tonight,cause the match versus Portsmouth last weekend was postponed and the players have a "special" break to collect new energy for tonight. It“s the CL and that“re two brilliant international teams.
my punt:
1X, cause I hope that Arsenals Henry shoot Juve! ..
He played 16 times for Juve and shoot 3 goals but wasn“t a part of the starter team (season 98/99) .. that“s the revenge!!!
A stat well worth noting is that there have been no away wins in the first legs of the Quarter Final or Semi Final of the CL since 2002 - will that continue tonight?
I read that in The Sportsman today Beanie. Add to this fact that Del Piero and Nedved are missing and I think Arsenals case isn't too bad. The Gunners home form of 11-2-2 in the Premiership is not to be sniffed at either. They have been poor away from home until just recently but their home form has been consistently good.
I think I'm going to lay Juventus tonight but I'll probably wait until the match starts and try and grab some value in running.
Arsenal - Juve uhh... Arsenal isn“t the best at the moment in premier league,Juve is on the top in italy.BUT they miss Pavel Nedved,in my eyes the best juve-player this season.Arsenal is full of motivation and they have a home clash tonight.To win in italy is very difficult,so when Arsenal go to the next round,than they have to win tonight at home.Wenger hopes that Campell,Reyes and Ljungberg are fit tonight,cause the match versus Portsmouth last weekend was postponed and the players have a "special" break to collect new energy for tonight. It“s the CL and that“re two brilliant international teams.
my punt:
1X, cause I hope that Arsenals Henry shoot Juve! ..
He played 16 times for Juve and shoot 3 goals but wasn“t a part of the starter team (season 98/99) .. that“s the revenge!!!
Arsenal will show Vieira what he will be missing after he left. He left cos he wanted to win the Champs league and now Arsenal's gonna get it , I'm dreaming am I?
Yes it will be hard to play in Italy, Arsenal doesnt have good records playing in Italy, so they will push for the goal here at home. Just a small bet on Arsenal for me.
Hey GETT1NLOTS, I'm a little confused here, can you help me understand the the use of "lay Juventus" above? I've never seen lay used in ref to a dog before...I always thought "laying" was a wager on a favorite.
I've seen this type of statement plenty of times since I've joined here. I'm just trying to understand things and would like to know if there's some kind of difference of how "lay" is used over in Europe.
Thanks
Here are my thoughts on the 2 games today, not sure if I'll bet though, my football form has been mush lately. I think an Arsenal win isn't out of the question, especially with Juve's absentees and their recent slip in in form. As for Barca, I just can't see them losing even with quality they will be missing today.
Gett1n - Juve's have been drifting today and are likely to drift further when the match starts. If it stays at 0-0 first 15-20 mins then I can see the draw shortening a fair bit. Looking to back the draw and hope their is not an early goal so can lay off..
Gamebookers are once again doing a 100% book, the only problem is it won't let you bet on it on their site.
Hey GETT1NLOTS, I'm a little confused here, can you help me understand the the use of "lay Juventus" above? I've never seen lay used in ref to a dog before...I always thought "laying" was a wager on a favorite.
Not sure where a dog comes into it.
Laying is the opposite of backing. You can lay teams on betting exchanges such as betfair & betdaq where you are effectively betting on a team not to win.
So Juventus may be 3.45 to back, and 3.5 to lay.
If you decide to lay Juventus and you bet £10, then you are in effect risking £25. If Juventus do not win then the £10 stake is what you win, if Juventus win then you lose £10 x 3.5 (odds) - £10 stake = £25.
28th March: Champions League Quarter Finals
but I want to make some preview....
, I'm dreaming am I?
