European Weekend Treble: Victories for Arsenal, Valencia and Lille
Sep 13, 2012 12:30:00 PM
Jonathan Day is back after the international break with three picks from across Europe and this week his tips come from the Premier League, La Liga and Ligue 1, at a return of 9/2
| Arsenal |
VS
|
Southampton |
| Kick off: Sunday Sept 15th at 15:00 BST | |
| Tip: Arsenal -1 (Asian Handicap) at 5/9 (1.55) with Bet365 |
Arsenal were impressive two weeks ago with new signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla both on the score sheet in a comfortable 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
The source of goals post-Robin Van Persie still remains a valid question; particularly with Oliver Giroud misfiring for the club, but the Gunners continue to create chances in attack.
Opponents Southampton are yet to get off the mark in the Premier League and conceding two or more goals in every game highlights the south coast club’s shortcomings at the back.
The Saints could include record signing Gaston Ramirez on Saturday, who shone at the 2012 Olympic Games, and the delivery of the Uruguayan could prove pivotal with Neil Adkins looking to maximise diagonal balls into the box.
Arsenal’s interplay has been good despite a total of just two goals scored, but they will need to pick up all three points on Saturday if they are to be considered as a strong force this season.
| Valencia |
VS
|
Celta Vigo |
| Kick-off: Sunday September 16 at 16:00BST | |
| Tip: Valencia -1 (Asian Handicap) at 29/40 (1.72) with Bet365 |
Roberto Soldado has found the net twice already and scored Spain’s winner on Tuesday night to extend his early run of form. Brazilian Jonas has started the season well for Los Che and should continue in attack, alongside summer signing Andres Guardado following Pablo Piatti’s broken arm.Los Che were strong at home last season winning 11 of 19 games and Mauricio Pellegrino will want to see a repeat of that dominance at the Mestalla again this season.
Celta Vigo scored more goals than any other side in La Segunda last season and picked up their first win of the season last time out, with victory over bottom side Osasuna.
Os Celestes have added both Michael Krohn-Dehli and Park Chu-Young to the attack but tackling Valencia at the Mestalla is an altogether different proposition.
| Troyes |
VS
|
Lille |
| Kick off: Saturday September 15th at 18:00 BST | |
| Tip: Lille to win at Evens (2.00) with Bet365 |
Defeat against PSG at the Grand Stade Lille Metropole last time out saw Lille slip to 11th place in Ligue 1 and lose their unbeaten start to the season.
Life after Eden Hazard has been arduous for Rudi Garcia’s side, with them labouring to draws against bottom-half sides Nancy and Nice, despite the arrivals of Salomon Kalou and Marvin Martin.LOSC had a good record away from home last season winning nine times and Lille have already tasted success on the road following a late Benoit Pedretti strike in a 2-1 victory away at St Etienne last month.
Newly-promoted Troyes face a long season and are yet to record either a victory or a clean sheet in Ligue 1.
Jean-Marc Furlan’s side had only the ninth best attacking record in Ligue 2 last season and the difference in class should show on Saturday.
 |
Jonathan's Weekend Treble |
||
| Backing all three selections around 9/2 (5.50) with Bet365 |
|
| Sign up with Bet365 for up to £200 in free bets |
Jonathan Day is a football betting expert and a regular contributor to Goal.com. For more from Jonathan you can visit his website Sportingly Better or you can follow Sportingly Better on Twitter for in-play betting tweets.
Inside Goal.Com
-
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
-
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
-
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
-
Transfer Talk: Mourinho wants Isco at Chelsea
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements
-
Top 10 Champions League Final Moments
As Europe braces itself for an all German classic at Wembley on Saturday, Goal.com takes a look back at some of the iconic moments in the history of Uefa's showpiece event since its rebranding in 1992.
