UEFA Cup / CL Betting

 Final 16 Knock-out Phase Second Legs (Mar 4-5)

Of the four Premiership representatives looking to make it through to the quarter finals of Champions League, it is the team with the worst recent league form, that has the strongest position. Liverpool hold a two goal advantage over Inter, whereas the teams above them in the Premier League table - Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd - all drew their first leg ties. Find out who’s favourite to progress in the midweek return matches , at PinnacleSports.com offering up to 60% better Champions League betting odds.

Young Gunners Need Vintage Performance at San Siro

Arsene Wenger’s young Arsenal side will receive one of the greatest tests of their maturity on Tuesday night when they face AC Milan at the San Siro. The sides drew 0-0 at the Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago, in a game the Gunners really should have won. Now they must evoke the spirit of 2003, when the Londoners beat Inter 5-1 in Italy. Wenger’s side must however put recent poor performances behind them – two league draws and a 4-0 FA Cup drubbing by Man Utd - and move out of the shadow that Eduardo’s broken leg has cast.

AC Milan have problems of their own, drawing five of their last six games, and suffering a lack of incisiveness up front. A spate of injuries to key attacking players have contributed to a lack of goals, and Carlo Ancelotti is waiting on the fitness of Clarence Seedorf, while Kaka and Andrea Pirlo were rested from Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Lazio. Ronaldo is out for the season, while Pipo Inzaghi is also sidelined, leaving Gilardino and Pato as the only fit attacking alternatives. Milan have been far from comfortable at the San Siro this season, failing to win any of their first seven home league games. PinnacleSports.com make AC Milan favourites 2.160 (-0.5)* with Arsenal 1.794 (+0.5)* – a market priced to just 102%.

Chelsea in Pole Position to Progress Against Greeks

Chelsea are priced as short as 1.216 by PinnacleSports.com to progress to the last eight of the Champions League at the expense of Olympiakos. The Blues have an amazing record at Stamford Bridge while as with all Greek sides, Olympiakos suffer from very poor away form in Europe, appearing in the knockout phase for the first time since 1999. The Londoners were impressive on the weekend, winning 4-0 at West Ham, with Frank Lampard showing a return to form with a goal. Lamps was only used as a sub in Athens, but should start alongside in-from, Michael Ballack.

Chelsea coach, Avram Grant, has come under strong pressure following the Carling Cup defeat to Spurs. His future at the club may be tied to success in Europe, which is the stated dream of owner, Roman Abramovic. Olympiakos threw everything at Chelsea in the first leg, but the roles will be reversed here, as they will undoubtedly look to soak up pressure and try to catch Chelsea on the break. PinnacleSports.com price Chelsea strong favourites 1.917 (-1.5)* with Olympiakos 2.010 (+1.5)*.

*All odds subject to change

 European Football Preview

We have some exciting European football this week, with Man Utd hosting Lyon at Old Trafford and Arsenal travelling to the San Siro to face AC on Tuesday in the Champions League. Wednesday sees Chelsea entertain Olympiakos at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League while on Thursday Everton face a tough trip to Fiorentina and Tottenham host PSV Eindhoven at White Heart Lane.

Tuesday’s Premiership Football

Man Utd v Lyon – Live on ITV1, k/o 19:45pm

After the 1-1 draw in France United will be looking to record a victory over Lyon to progress through to the last 16. United, one of only three teams left unbeaten in this year’s competition, will be looking to achieve their tenth successive victory at old Trafford in Europe. A run which would will equal Juventus' Champions League record of 10 which was set back in 1997. United have to stop Lyon scoring to progress, a feat that they have managed 13 times at old Trafford this season. Man Utd have be installed as favourites with Betterbet offering 2/5, while Centrebet value Lyon as 67/20.

BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Man Utd v Newcastle if Ryan Giggs scores at anytime in this match.¹

AC Milan v Arsenal – Live on ITV4 1, k/o 19:45pm

The first match between these sides this season ended in a goalless draw at the Emirates. Since their meeting in February Arsenal have picked up 2 points from a possible 6 and lost Eduardo, who had established an effective partnership with Adebayor, for the rest of the season. Arsenal fans will be delighted that they may be able to welcome back Robin Van Persie to the team as they look to secure passage through to the last 16. AC Milan do not go into the game on the best of form having drawn their last two games 1-1. However they have won their last four Champions League games at home and have only conceded three goals in nine games in all competitions.

AC Milan to Win                                 11/10       Betterbet
Draw                                                41/20       Centrebet
Arsenal to Win                                   3/1          VC Bet

BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on AC Milan v Arsenal if Theo Walcott scores at anytime in this match.¹

Wednesday’s Champions League Football

Chelsea v Olympiakos – Live on Sky Sports 3 k/o 19:45pm

Chelsea have recovered well after they were beaten in the Carling Cup Final by Spurs. A 4-0 away victory over West Ham at Upton Park shows that Chelsea have the strength and depth to be challenging on three fronts still. The biggest problem facing Grant will be who to play. Will he bring Drogba back or will he continue to stamp his own mark on the Chelsea team: There were three midfield goal scorers at the weekend that will all be pushing for a starting birth. However there is room for improvements in Chelsea’s home for in the Champions League. They have only won once and drawn the other two games. Olympiakos will be looking to inflict Chelsea’s first Champions League defeat this year and progress through to the last 16. However the bookies have gone for Chelsea as favourites with BGbet offering 2/7 for a Chelsea victory and Centrebet offering 12/1 for Olympiakos win.

BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Chelsea v Olympiakos if Frank Lampard scores at anytime in this match.¹

Thursday’s UEFA Cup Football

Fiorentina v Everton – Live on ITV4, k/o 19:45pm

Everton go into the quarter-final on the back of 5 straight wins in all competitions, including an impressive 8-1 aggregate victory over SK Brann in the last round on the UEFA Cup and victories over Portsmouth, Man City and Reading in the Premiership. Everton also have a striker in red hot form, Yakubu has six goals in three games. With Betterbet offering 6/1 for him to be first scorer it may be worth backing him. Fiorentina were dealt a massive injury blow for the game, Chelsea old boy and the Violas leading scorer Adrian Mutu suffered a knee injury during a recent game against Roma and will miss the tie against Everton. Even with Mutu’s absence Fiorentina are favourites with VC Bet offering 13/10 for a home win, with BGbet offering 11/5 for an Everton win.  

BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Fiorentina v Everton if Andy Johnson scores at anytime in this match.¹

Tottenham v PSV Eindhoven – Live on ITV1, k/o 20:05pm

Tottenham obviously had one eye on this fixture with their team selection for the weekends game against Birmingham with several players rested. However this backfired on Spurs as they lost 4-1. Described as a ‘wake-up call’ by Poyet, Tottenham will be looking to put that loss behind them with a strong performance against PSV. PSV currently top the Dutch league by six points however they were surprised by FC Utrecht in their last match. BGbet have made Tottenham favourites offering them at 4/6 for the win, while PSV have been prices at 5/1 by VC Bet to progress through to the last 16.

BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Tottenham v PSV Eindhoven if Darren Bent scores at anytime in this match.¹

Open an account with any of the following bookmakers and receive a free bet:

VC Bet                    £100 in Free Bets                                    BGbet                     £100 Free Bet
Betterbet                £25 Free Bet                                          Centrebet               £20 Free Bet