Betdistrict.com
Istanbul will be the host of the high profile Champions League playoff clash between Besiktas and Arsenal. The Gunners are favored by the odds, being priced at around 1.65.
The hosts finished last season on the 3rd place, but they were way off pace Champions Fenerbahce, finishing 12 points behind. Besiktas has not played any domestic football so far this season, but they faced a tie against Feyenoord in the Champions League qualies and won both legs, 2-1 away and 3-1 home, so they are in pretty good form right now. New signing Demba Ba scored 3 goals in the tie against the Dutch side and he will lead the line again today against his former Premier League opponents, Arsenal.
The Gunners are in great shape at the moment, playing good football despite struggling to overcome Crystal Palace in the weekend winning 2-1 via a late goal. This match was preceded by a blistering 3-0 win against Manchester City in the Community Shield and there is great excitement at Arsenal, with the new signings Sanchez, Chambers or Debuchy all playing very good right now.
 |
Wide betting coverage and best asian handicap market at Sbobet. Register now to get great odds and a 150 euro welcome bonus! |
Team news & lineups
Attiba Hutchinson is a major doubt for Besiktas, a big blow since he is an absolute key player in midfield. Arsenal have their usual missing players list: Ospina, Gnabry, Gibbs and Walcott are injured, Mertesacker, Ozil and Podolski are still not recovered after the World Cup. Joel Campbell might be given his start in an Arsenal shirt this season.
Besiktas: Zengen – Kurtulus, Sahan, Pektemek, Ramon – Ozyakup, Uysal, Frei, Gulu, Sahan – Ba
Arsenal: Szczesny – Debuchy, Chambers, Koscielny, Monreal – Arteta, Flamini – Sanchez, Ramsey, Campbell – Giroud
Arsenal will play with pretty much the first team here and I reckon they will be able to get solid win, making the second leg a formality. There is a big difference between these two sides and Arsenal traditionally starts these qualifying legs very strong – Champions League qualification is a must, and they never leave anything to chance, looking to play the best football they can. Last season the Gunners were in a much worse state than right now and they managed to destroy Fenerbahce 3-0 away and 2-0 at home, with Fenerbahce being much stronger than Besiktas. I can see Arsenal winning this all day and with a little bit of luck they should be able to take home a 2 goal advantage as well. The odds for the Arsenal win are pretty good but I will take it one step up – my tip is Arsenal to win and cover the 1 goal asian handicap. Prediction: Besiktas – Arsenal 1-3.
Pick: Arsenal (-1 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 2.31 @ Sbobet
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 11.79
Event date: 19 August
