Champions League
2012-09-19 - Shakhtar Donetsk vs FC Nordsjaelland
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : UEFA : Champions League
Wednesday, September 19th, 2012, 7:45PM GMT
PREVIEW
FC Nordsjaelland make their Champions League debut on Wednesday night in an away game in the Ukraine. It's going to be a tough match, as none of the Danish teams players have experience at this level, and Donetsk are on a domestic run of 19 straight league wins!
After 9 games, FC Nordsjaelland sit 6 points off the top of the Danish table, and they suffered a 2-1 loss in their last match, away at FC Copenhagen, the league leaders. In contrast, Shakhtar Donetsk just won their 9th straight match on the weekend, a 3-0 result over Zorya Lugansk, who can reliably tell you I know nothing about.
Looking at the prices you would expect FC Nordsjaelland to come here and get battered, and that is most likely. I just think about whether they might be able to pull a surprise here as a newbie, and an unknown entity, and whether a punt on the AH might be worthwhile. Maybe I'm trying to be too clever.
So will FC Nordsjaelland manage to have a dream debut like Malaga did last night, or crash the way Montpellier did at the hands of Arsenal? I think the latter. Shakhtar Donetsk will boast serious talent up front, and I have a feeling they will score early and then score some more, making the HT/FT bet a good option. Or maybe take them to score a bunch by themselves?
BETTING VERDICT
You have to give the edge, and then some, to Shakhtar Donetsk. Not only is there European experience in this team, they are on a silly run in the Ukraine, where this game will be played. Add to that home advantage, and you know they will be more settled during the game.
The nerves for FC Nordsjaelland will be too much and you would expect the home team to score in the 1st half and then finish them off late on.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Shakhtar Donetsk to score 3+ goals
