Champions League: Arsenal to name strong team for Olympiakos
Published:Arsene Wenger will field a mixture of young talent and fringe players as he looks to build on Arsenal’s unbeaten record in Europe away to Olympiakos.
His charges have already clinched Group F, but will be eager to make an impression to prove they deserve a more regular spot in the starting line-up.
10/3 is a tremendous price associated with a team that will still feature the likes of seasoned professionals in the ilk of Andrey Arshavin and Yossi Benayoun, whilst complemented by the raw pace and impressive invention of Alex Oxade-Chamberlain.
Add to that the winning mentality and determination of characters like Emmanuel Frimpong and Johan Djourou, and it is easy to see why the 10/3 price could prove very generous.
The home side have, in the words of boss Ernesto Valverde, “serious injury problems,” and he has expressed particular concerns about the midfield area.
His 5/6 outfit could be exposed by the passing capabilities of the returning Tomas Rosicky and the aforementioned Benayoun, whilst in Marouane Chamakh the visitors boast a striker with a point to prove.
The draw is 5/2 but that would not be enough for Olympiakos to have a chance of qualification, and so an over-zealous approach could leave them vulnerable to a quick counter attack, something which Arsenal tend to excel at.
Chelsea are the other English team in action tonight, and their only fresh injury worry is Jose Bosingwa, for whom Branislav Ivanovic is again likely to deputise.
The Blues are 8/11 to get the win that would ensure Group E progression, and Andre Villas-Boas will pick as strong a side as possible to try and certify that.
The draw is 11/4, but only a goalless stalemate will do for Chelsea, as 7/2 Valencia would progress should the teams play out a score draw.
Arsenal and Chelsea to win their respective games comes to more than 7/1 as a double should the selections prove correct
