Champions League
2011-08-16 - Arsenal vs Udinese
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : European Champions League
Tuesday 16 August 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Arsenal
The Cesc Fabregas will he, wont he saga is over when the Catalan returned home to Barcelona in a 35 million pound deal that was formally announced on Monday. Arsenal now have to focus on an interesting Champions League Play Off game as rumours persist that Samir Nasri will be the next man to walk out of the door.
It must be a tough time to be an Arsenal fan as it looks like the team will have to go through a transitional season without a couple of big midfielders. The loss of Fabregas and Nasri will seriously restrict Arsene Wenger's options during the season, while his signings have not inspired the home faithful. I think it was telling that the home fans booed the side off in a PRE-SEASON game this season and frustration threatens to boil over.
A 0-0 draw at Newcastle would not have helped the mood of those making the long journey up to the North East. However, the Gunners should feel confident in this home game considering they have won 9 of their last 10 Champions League games here and that includes a win and a draw against the mighty Barcelona in that stretch of games.
Injuries and suspensions are really hurting Arsenal and they will be missing Samir Nasri and Robin Van Persie who were banned following the Barcelona game last season. Jack Wilshire and Abou Diaby are injured while Tomas Rosicky needs a late fitness test.
Udinese
Udinese were the surprise 4th team to enter the Champions League from the Italian Serie A, but they will want to do better than Sampdoria who were knocked out at this stage of the competition last season before ending the season as a relegated side. The turnaround of Udinese's fortunes in recent seasons following a tight escape from relegation is impressive, but this will be a tough test for them.
While Arsenal have lost their influential midfielder to Barcelona, Udinese can also say they lost their most influential player to the same team when Alexis Sanchez was signed earlier this Summer. The team have also lost Cristian Zapata and Gokhan Inler this off-season so Arsenal will not be the only team missing big players from last season.
Udinese will make their first Champions League appearance since 2005, but they come in without playing any competitive football this season. They finished Serie A with a 9-2-8 away record, scoring 38 goals and conceding 27, a stat that made them the leading away scorers in Serie A. The team got results at Milan and Juventus on their travels, but were beaten by the likes of Inter, Fiorentina, Lazio and Roma.
Head to Head
This will be the first competitive game between Arsenal and Udinese.
Prediction
Arsenal are the more likely winners of this match, but I cannot bring myself to back them at the odds with all the injuries and uncertainty surrounding the squad.
In saying that, Udinese themselves have plenty of questions to answer after losing some key players over the Summer and this being their first competitive game of the new season.
This could be a nervous contest, especially for the home team, and that may lead to a shortage of goals. Udinese will want to give themselves a chance at home next week by keeping this game tight, and Arsenal are missing so many key players that the value play could be on the Under 2.5 goals.
The layers seem to think there will be a few goals scored, but I think Arsenal would be satisfied with a win as long as they can keep a clean sheet with it, while Udinese themselves got be lacking a bit of bite without the likes of Sanchez in the line up.
The Pick :
Arsenal 1-0 Udinese
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.10
