Arsenal vs Braga Betting Pick | Champions League

Champions League

2010-09-15 - Arsenal vs Braga

A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted

ARSENAL v SC BRAGA
Football : UEFA Champions League : Group H
Wednesday, September 15th 2010 - Start 7:45PM GMT

Gooners and Arsenalistas, this one's for you!

ARSENAL

Another fresh chance for Arsene Wenger to pursue the one remaining bit of silverware that eludes him in his Arsenal career. The Frenchman has seen his side qualify and play in the tournament in every single year of his reign, with the 2006 final the closest they came to finally lifting the trophy.

Arsenal, have been drawn into a group that includes Partizan Belgrade, Shakthar Donestk and Braga, so the Gunners look likely to be in the knock out phases next year, but first they must welcome tournament new boys Braga to the Emirates in Week 1.

Arsenal come into this match on the back of a 4-1 win over Bolton. In the absence of form strikers Van Persie and Walcott, the rest of the team chipped in and the Emirates crowd was treated to some excellent goals from Song, Chamakh and Vela. These players will all play again, as will Rosicky, Nasri, Arshavin and captain Fabregas. There is just way too much talent there to see Arsenal not score at least a couple of goals here.

The problems faced by Wenger are with the defence. Thomas Vermaelen has an achilles injury that kept him out of the game against Bolton, and is again a doubt. New signing Squillaci will take his place, alongside fellow Frenchman Koscielny. Almunia will continue in goal. I've got confidence in Arsenal winning easily enough here, as the Gunners have put 9 goals past Portugal's top side, Porto, in their 2 visits here.

SC BRAGA

Braga are Portugal's 2nd best team based on last seasons standings, and will come to London to play their heroes. I say that as Braga's team colours are based on those of Arsenal, and the Portugese club's fans are even called Arsenalistas! But how much do they have in common with the London club, who play arguably the most beautiful football in the world?

Well, actually Sporting Club Braga seem to be alright, if recent results are what we judge them on. In getting themselves to the Champions League for the first time, they've knocked off the likes of Celtic, 4-2 on aggregate, and Seville, whom they beat home and away!

Manager Domingos Paciencia knows all too well that this is the toughest game of his teams Group campaign, away to the favourites. Were they to get something here, they would surely have a foot in the door as far as the next stage is concerned, because this really is a good group for them.

A player named Matheus impressed the most in what little I have seen of this pacy side. He netted 3 times against Seville and Celtic, and will be the main threat to the Arsenal defence, which still have question marks hanging over their heads with the way they allowed Bolton to equalise in the game on Saturday. There is a very good chance Braga will score at some point, but a win is asking too much.

BETTING VERDICT

Arsenal are too quick and too good for Braga, and I really can't see the the home side failing to pick up all three points here.

Over the 90 minutes though, there is a good chance of Braga making the most of an opportunity, something Arsenal seem to give opponents in every match they play.

Braga will score, but Arsenal will score more. The experience, as well as the gulf in talent will ultimately show.

The Statistics :

ARSENAL LAST SIX HOME FORM
	DATE	RESULT		OPPOSITION
	2010-03-31	D	2-2	H v Barcelona
	2010-03-09	W	5-0	H v Porto
	2009-11-24	W	2-0	H v Standard_Liege
	2009-11-04	W	4-1	H v AZ_Alkmaar
	2009-09-29	W	2-0	H v Olympiakos
	2009-08-26	W	3-1	H v Celtic

BRAGA LAST SIX AWAY FORM
	DATE	RESULT		OPPOSITION
	2010-08-24	W	3-4	A v Seville
	2010-08-04	L	2-1	A v Celtic