Montpellier v Arsenal: Giroud set to haunt old club
Published:Arsenal’s strong start to the season means they travel to Montpellier as favourites to win this Group C clash.
A price of 5/4 seems relatively large given the form in which the Gunners have began the Premier League campaign, with the French champions languishing in the lower reaches of Ligue 1 after three defeats in five.
After last seasons’ mountain-shifting exploits which saw them fend off PSG and win their maiden league crown, Montpellier seem to be struggling to cope with Olivier Giroud’s departure to Arsenal. They’ve scored just once at the Stade de la Mosson so far this season.
Giroud himself has struggled since leaving France and is yet to get off the mark in north London. The scene is set for him to break his duck at his old club and could be in line for a start after sitting on the bench in Arsenal’s last game.
He’s priced at 11/2 to be the first or last to register here, while he’s 13/8 to notch at any time and 33/1 to show the Montpellier faithful what they’re missing by firing an unexpected hat-trick.
The hosts’ goalscoring problems could prove costly in this one, with Arsenal being uncharacteristically stringent in their opening four games this term.
Only one goal conceded in four for Arsene Wenger’s side adds value to an Arsenal win to nil at 5/2, whereas an away win with two or fewer goals scored in the game is priced at a generous 11/4.
Four of Montpellier’s five league matches this season have produced both more goals in the second half than the first and seen both sides on target. For these two trends to continue here it’s 1/1 for more goals to be scored after the break, whereas it’s 5/6 for both to find the back of the net.
All odds and markets correct as of publication
