BAYERN great value to net early against Arsenal

No doubt about the game of the night Wednesday night in the Champions League and that is the battle from the Emirates between Arsenal and defending champions Bayern Munich (19:45, SKY SPORTS 1).

Bayern are the 3/4 (GENERAL) favourites for the game as they look to continue a run of 20 wins from their last 21 games. The German side have won their last two away games in this competition in England and have won eight and drawn one of their last nine road trips in the Champions League. They will fancy their chances at a ground they won 3-1 at last season.

Arsenal are no mugs at home though winning ten and drawing three of their last 13 in front of their own fans in all competitions. The Gunners did lose at home to Bayern last season though in turn defeated them at their own crowd so they have some reasons for hope. If you fancy the English side then you can back them at 4/1 (GENERAL) while the draw is 3/1 (GENERAL).

The best bet in this game is to take the first Bayern Munich goal to come before the 38th minute (19/20-BETVICTOR). Liverpool showed a few weeks ago how vulnerable the Gunners can be to a quick start and a fast moving attack netting four against them in the first twenty minutes. Last weekend in the FA Cup Daniel Sturridge had a couple of early chances and if he had brought his shooting boots could have got at least one goal. The German side will come out of the blocks fast and I think this looks great value on a side who have grabbed a goal in the first 25 minutes of each of their last four domestic games and five of their last six Champions League games.

Clarence Seedorf was a puzzling choice to take over as boss of AC Milan though so far the Dutchman has done a decent job as the Italian side have just one defeat from their last five Serie A games. This though represents a tougher test as high flying Atletico Madrid are in the San Siro for the first leg (19:45, SKY SPORTS 3).

Atletico are the 5/4 (GENERAL) favourites for the game as Milan have won just two of their last 12 knockout games in this competition. The Spanish side are also just one of three teams unbeaten in the competition this season (alongside Real Madrid and Man United) and going well in their domestic campaign and might be a popular bet here. I would exercise a little caution though as I think Atletico will be happy with the draw in the opener. The game to end all square can be backed at 23/10 (bet365/CORAL) while a Milan victory is a 14/5 (888 SPORT/CORAL/unibet) chance.

The main goal threat for Atletico will be Diego Costa and he has to be backed at 15/8 (BETVICTOR) to score at anytime. Costa has 21 goals this season with four of these from his last four Champions League games. The Italians do not have the steady defence of old and have kept just two clean sheets in their last eight in all competitions.

Mario Balotelli is 23/10 (BETVICTOR) to score anytime and this also looks value. The Italian forward has found new life under Seedorf grabbing five in the last six games. Atletico have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five domestic games and in just one of their last seven on the road in the Champions League.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Bayern Munich to score before 38th minute, 19/20 (BETVICTOR)
SILVER: Diego Costa to score anytime v Milan, 15/8 (BETVICTOR)
BRONZE: Mario Balotelli to score anytime v Atletico Madrid, 23/10 (BETVICTOR)

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19/02/2014     © Frixo 2026