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Olympiakos - Arsenal Betting Preview: Greeks can heap woe on worried Wenger
Dec 4, 2012 5:37:00 PM
The pressure is on the Gunners' boss despite already qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League & Adam Bate can see more trouble ahead in Greece
Arsenal once again find themselves described as a club in crisis after they fell to 10th in the Premier League following Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Swansea.In a sense, a return to Champions League action against Olympiakos is a timely reminder that it is not all doom and gloom for the Gunners – they have already qualified for the knockout stages.
Arsene Wenger could be forgiven for sending a weakened side to Greece as he focuses on lifting the team up the domestic league table, but there is also a need for a morale-boosting win here.
Arsenal are 5/4 (2.25) favourites with Paddy Power to get the victory they need to put pressure on Schalke to win their game at Montpellier, if they want to top Group B.Olympiakos actually have less to play for than Arsenal – their third place in the group is guaranteed as they cannot catch the Gunners or be caught by the Ligue 1 champions.
But the home fans are likely to demand a performance against Premier League opposition. Olympiakos are 19/10 (2.90) underdogs to add to Arsenal’s woe on Tuesday evening.
The draw is available at 23/10 (3.30) with Paddy Power.
That is a tempting bet because this is a difficult one for the punter to call. But it is the home form of Olympiakos that is likely to be the decisive factor.Leonardo Jardim’s side have won their last seven games in front of their own fans and it is that fantastic support that can force them over the line here.
Arsenal are expected to field a much-changed line-up and that could be a factor in the early stages.
In each of those seven successive wins for the Greek side they also led at the interval. As a result, backing Olympiakos HT/FT at 4/1 (5.00) is the pick of the bets.
For the value bet, consider a long-shot option if it all goes horribly wrong for Arsenal in Athens.
Olympiakos are a huge industry-best price of 35/1 (36.00) to enjoy themselves and win 3-0 to heap misery on the beleaguered Wenger.
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BET |
OF THE |
DAY |
| BEST BET |
VALUE BET |
| Olympiakos at HT/FT at 4/1 (5.00) with Paddy Power |
Olympiakos 3-0 at 35/1 (36.00) with Paddy Power |
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Adam Bate is a professional freelance journalist who specialises in football and betting. He is editor of GhostGoal which can be found here - you can also follow Adam on
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