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Porto V Arsenal is the highlight of Wednesday night’s Champions League action. Chris Hutcheon previews this game and Bayern Munich V Fiorentina.
On paper, Arsenal were the Premiership team handed the easiest Champions League draw as they were paired with Porto and the bookies’ response was to make the Gunners emphatic favourites to reach the quarter finals; Totesport pricing them at 2/5 to overcome the Portuguese champions.
Nevertheless they will find it tough going in the Estádio do Dragao where the hosts have a tremendous record. Jesualdo Ferreira’s charges keep things tight on their own patch in the Champions League; only Artmedia Bratislava have managed to notch more than once there in 28 matches, while the hosts also beat Arsenal in the group stages last season.
However, in the Gunners’ favour is Porto’s otherwise disappointing record against English opposition, which should see Arsene Wenger’s troops make it through even though Betdaq’s 9/5 for them to prevail in the away leg makes for no appeal.
At 17/10 with Paddy Power, the home side can take a lead back to the Emirates Stadium and they can edge out Arsenal by a one-goal margin (7/2, bet365) to leave the tie finely balanced ahead of the second leg in a fortnight’s time.
At the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich can take the initiative in their tie against Fiorentina. The German side have been unstoppable of late, in direct contrast to their opponents, who have struggled in recent weeks.
Quoted at 8/15 by 888Sport, Munich are an absolute steal and there’s a chance that the Bundesliga outfit, who are 11/8 (Stan James) to prevail by at least two clear goals, could even put the tie beyond doubt on their own patch.
Paddy Power’s 4/9 for them to reach the last eight looks safe regardless and the player that can set them on their way in Bavaria is a man familiar to fans of the Premiership.
Former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben has been in scintillating form of late, scoring for fun and he’s worth a modest flutter at 7/1 (Ladbrokes) to break the deadlock or at 2/1 with Victor Chandler to find the net at any point.
Finally, in the Premiership, Jaxx.com’s 9/4 for the spoils to be shared is the eye catching bet as Wigan and Bolton face-off in a six-pointer at the DW Stadium.
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