Arsenal to start strong in Champions League

Champions League: Dinamo Zagreb vs Arsenal

Arsenal traveled to Zagreb after comfortable home win against Stoke and will be prepared to start strong in Europe. Arsenal players scored only 5 goals in the first five PL fixtures this season, but they've also created more than 20 chances per game. Arsenal need to improve their efficiency and this game is the best opportunity to do so. Dinamo Zagreb will probably defend from the first minute and try to score from counter-attacks, but if Arsenal manage to score an early goal it could get disastrous for the home team.

Arsene Wenger left Bellerin and Ramsey in London and will make two changes with Debuchy and Ox starting this game. Both players are more than decent replacements despite Bellerin's outstanding form.

Injuries
Dinamo Zagreb: Schildenfeld, Pavičič, Šovšič, Gonçalo
Arsenal: Wilshere, Welbeck, Mertesacker, Rosicky, Bellerin, Ramsey

Arsenal possible lineup: Cech - Debuchy - Gabriel - Koscoielny - Monreal- Coquelin - Cazorla - Ozil- Sanchez - Ox - Walcott

I expect Arsenal to dominate the game and win by (at least) 1 goal margin.

Arsenal AH -1 (1.925 bet365) 7/10

25.2. - Matchday Wednesday

The 1st leg of the last-16 will end up with two interesting matches. Monaco will face the Gunners in London and Atletico Madrid are looking for a positive result against Bayer Leverkusen.

Arsenal - Monaco

Monaco are one of the easiest sides to face the Gunners at this stage in terms of individual quality and experience in the Champions League. Although the French side had the best defensive record in the group stage (conceding only 1 goal and scoring 4 goals).

Arsenal lost against Barcelona, AC Milan and 2x Bayern Munich at the last-16 stage in the last four years. I'm sure they are more than ready to get something out of it this time.
The Gunners are in good home form (9 consecutive wins) and with all the squad available for Arsene Wenger, there's a smell of home advantage. Time for Sanchez and Ozil to prove their worth (or not). I also think Wenger won't risk too much if its not necessary.

On the other side we have motivated Monaco with stable defance and midfield with the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Anthony Martial, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Joao Moutinho.

Under 2.5 (1.70 Bet365) 6/10

23.10. - Champions League (group stage)

CSKA Moscow - Manchester City

Manchester City won their last PL game against West Ham away, but lost their last Champions League home game against Bayern. The Germans will be first in the group so I believe City will fight for second with CSKA. They have really bad CL record, but still records are there to break so we will give them a chance to prove. City managed first CL away win against Victoria Plzen in the first round and will be motivated to win in Russia as well.

On the other hand I don't know much about Russian team and I've watched them only in Champions League this season. Statistically speaking they are not in the best shape, they won only 1 match in their last 7 games.

Away win (1.80 Bet365) 10/10

2.10. - Champions League (group stage)

Bayer Leverkusen - Real Sociedad

Both teams have lost their first CL matches and clearly won't be playing just for draw.

Leverkusen are in great shape lately and currently 3rd in the Bundesliga, only Bayern and Dortmund are above them in the table. They lost against Man U in the first round, but Leverkusen have ability and experiance to bounce back well. Leverkusen without injury problems, only Lars Bender is doubtful, but it's big chance he'll play tonight.

Real Sociedad started bad this season, they are with no victory in their last 7 games. They were better side against Shaktar at home in the first round, but haven't been effective in front of goal. Real will travel to Germany without Xabi Prieto, Dani Estrada, Esteban Granero and Diego Ifran.

Home win (1.80 Bet365) 10/10


Shakhtar - Manchester United

I really don't know what we can expect from Manchester United tonight as they won their first round game and than lost against WBA in the PL. I do believe something is clear till now, they have enough firepower in front and space at the back to concede.

Shakhtar is not in great form lately, but still it's difficult to beat them at home despite losing some key players last summer.

Both teams to score (1.70 Bet365) 5/10

1.10. - Champions League (group stage)

Zenit - Austria Vienna

Austria are one of the weakest teams in Champions League this year and there is no pressure for guests.

Zenit will have to display good performances at St. Petersburg, if they will want to progress further into competition.

We do believe hosts have upper hand in tonight's game and enough firepower to score a couple of goals.

Zenit AH -1.5 (1.825 Bet365) 7/10

17.9. - Champions League (group stage)

Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester City

Manuel Pellegrini will push for a win here after goaless defeat at Stoke City in the PL this weekend. All the teams in Group C are aware that the points against Czech champions might be decisive for progression to the next part of the competition. I do believe Manchester City have too much quality for Plzen with Negredo and Aguero both available upfront. It's a good time for Manchester City to show us quality on the pitch and make the owners happy.

I watched Plzen in the Champions League few years ago when they lost against 2nd Barcelona team and last time in the qualification for Champions League against Maribor where they didn't really convince me.

Away win (1.70 Bet365) 10/10