Arsenal – Olympiakos

Arsenal and Olympiakos will square off in a key match counting for Group G of the Champions League, with both sides coming off disappointing losses in the first round.

If Olympiakos’ 0-3 home defeat to Bayern was understandable, Arsenal’s 1-2 loss in Zagreb was a real kick in the teeth for Arsene Wenger. The French manager gambled by resting a fair number of starters and lost. It did not even pay off 4 days later against Chelsea, where Arsenal lost again. However, in the two matches since then, the Gunners looked very solid – first a 2-1 derby win at White Hart Lane against Tottenham and then a top class performance in a 5-2 routing of Leicester. Arsenal is entering this game on a high and they will be massively motivated for a good result after the loss in Zagreb. Anything other than a win will put Arsenal’s qualification chances in real danger.

Olympiakos is 5 out of 5 in Greece so far, winning all matches in the domestic competition. But for all of Oly’s success in Greece, their limits were exposed in the 0-3 home loss to Bayern to weeks ago. We have to take into account that Olympiakos didn`t play any serious match in the Greek Superleague – their opponents being Panionios, Levadiakos, Platanias, Xanthi and Giannina – so Oly’s form might not be as good as stats suggest.

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Team news & lineups:

Arsenal will have to do without Welbeck, Arteta, Wilshere, Rosicky, Flamini and Giroud. Also, Coquelin is doubtful. Olympiakos won`t be able to count on Da Costa, Milivojevic, Maniatis and probably Dominguez.

Arsenal: Cech – Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Bellerin – Coquelin (Ramsey), Cazorla – Sanchez, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain – Walcott

Olympiakos: Roberto – Elabdellaoui, Botia, Siovas, Masuaku – Cambiasso, Salino – Kasami, Fortounis, Pardo – Ideye

Arsenal will approach this game with full focus and with the best available lineup – which will be very strong, despite a couple of important absences, particularly in the defensive midfielder area. Arteta, Flamini and possibly Coquelin being out could be a problem, but could also prove to be an opportunity. In a game where Arsenal is expected to be very offensive, having Ramsey alongside Cazorla would only help their gameplan.

The Gunners have generally been strong this season, they are in top form recently and should be able to complete the job in front of a packed stadium in a must win game for them. Olympiakos wasn`t too impressive against Bayern and their apparent good form in Greece is mostly due to the very low level of opposition, with Oly playing teams belonging in the bottom half of the table. We also have to take into account the fact that Olympiakos is traditionally weaker on the road than at home, particularly in Europe. Look for Arsenal to dominate from the outset, play a strong game and win by at least a couple of goals difference.

My tip is an Arsenal win with a 1,25 asian handicap. With the small security offered by the -1,25 asian handicap in case of the 1 goal win, I`m confident of going with maximum stakes on this one. Prediction: Arsenal – Olympiakos 3-0.

Pick: Arsenal (-1,25 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 2.07 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 10
Possible profit: 10.70
Event date: 29 September