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Arsenal continues its quest to win Group A of the Champions League, while Ludogorets will be desperate for a draw in order to boost their chances of finishing third. Arsenal won the previous meeting 6-0 a couple of weeks ago in London.
Ludogorets has 1 point so far in this group after a draw with Basel and the Bulgarian side has an honest shot to finish 3rd, as Basel also has a single point. The hosts are in fantastic form domestically, winning 9 matches in a row in Bulgaria, scoring 3 or more goals in each of them and covering the 1 goal handicap in all 9 wins. However, between all these wins they were dismantled by PSG (1-3 at home) and Arsenal (0-6 away) in the Champions League.
Arsenal has been playing lights out lately, winning 9 of the last 10 matches in all competitions. After finally missing out on the win last week against Middlesbrough, Arsenal reacted very well and got two good wins on the back of two good performances: 2-0 against Reading and 4-1 away at Sunderland. This Arsenal team clearly looks differently this season in terms of consistency and mental strength. Currently ties in points with PSG, they seem motivated to win the group as opposed to just wanting to qualify, like in the past.
Bet on Ludogorets vs. Arsenal and get your 100% (100 Eur) freebet at Ohmbet now!Team news & lineups:
Ludogoerts has a full squad available. Arsenal will miss Welbeck, Perez, Mertesacker, Akpom, Bellerin, Cazorla, Walcott and Monreal (the last four are rested and have been left in England)
Ludogorets: Stoyanov – Minev, Palomino, Moti, Pimienta – Anicet, Dyakov – Misidjan, Marcelinho, Wanderson – Keseru
Arsenal: Ospina – Jenkinson, Mustafi, Gabriel, Gibbs – Xhaka, Elneny – Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey (Ozil), Sanchez – Giroud
In the recent past this could have been a very tricky game for Arsenal, but this season the Gunners are pumping on all cylinders and Wenger clearly wants the first place in the group, not settling for second like he did in the last few years – and he will field a very strong team, even if some regulars will be rested.
Sure, this match will probably not be a walk in the park for Arsenal and it should look totally different than the 6-0 drubbing Ludogorets suffered at Emirates two weeks ago. Traveling to Bulgaria will make it a bit hard for Wenger’s men. However, an in form, confident and motivated Arsenal side should definitely have too much for the Bulgarians. I believe, at the very least, Arsenal will win – but I do expect them to do it by 2 or more goals.
My tip is Arsenal to cover the -1 asian handicap. Not the highest odds, but I feel the bet is pretty safe so I am happy to invest 9 units on it. It`s also worth noting that Ludogorets is used to playing attacking football and their defense is leaky – they concede more than 1 goal per game even in the weak Bulgarian league. This should help Arsenal cover the spread. Prediction: Ludogorets – Arsenal 1-3.
Pick: Arsenal (-1 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.58 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 5.22
Event date: 1 November
