FEB 15: WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL TIPS

AFTER a hectic Tuesday there's less to focus on with Wednesday being dominated by two Champions League ties.

Arsenal head for AC Milan while Benfica take on Zenit St Petersburg in their last-16 first-leg affair.

So let's look at the Gunners first of all. Domestically their title race is over and they're fighting for a place in next season's Champions League.

But in Europe this season they've been superb so far, cruising into the knockout stage with three wins and two draws.

They will travel to AC Milan with Thierry Henry in the squad for the last time and determined to send him back to the States on a winning note.

The Italians top Serie A by two points from Juventus but have won only one of their last three, failing to score in two of them.

I reckon if Arsenal go to the San Siro looking for a victory they should get it. The Gunners are worth a look at 14-5 with BetVictor and Ladbrokes and assuming they won't lose check out boylesports's 4-5 the Gunners plus one.

AC Milan are a best 23-20 with the draw 12-5 while Zlatan Ibrahimovic is their striker most likely to hit the target first.

For Arsenal it's Robin van Persie who is 13-2 with William Hill and BetVictor to break the deadlock and 19-10 (unibet) to score at any time. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be less known to the Italian defence but they could be in trouble if they take their eye off him. The youngster is 4-1 at unibet and bet365 to score.

The other tie sees Benfica travel to Russia and this could also be an away win. Two of Zenit's last three games in Europe have been 0-0 draws and they face a Portuguese side who have won all eight games in Europe this season and their last 11 in all competitions.

It will be freezing in Russia but I reckon Benfica will warm to the task so back them at 21-10 at boylesports. Zenit are 7-5 with William Hill and BetVictor with draw 9-4 at Paddy Power.

There is game on the domestic front and it sees Ayr meet Falkirk in the William Hill Scottish Cup. The sides have drawn twice this season and both drew at the weekend. My verdict here? A score draw and a replay.

Ayr a biggest 11-4 with Betfred and boylesports with Falkirk 21-20 at BetVictor while the stalemate pays a biggest 5-2 with William Hill.

There are two games in Serie A and Juventus can climb above Milan with a win at Parma. Juve remain unbeaten away from home in the league and I expect them to win at 4-5 with William Hill and BetVictor.

The other match between Atalanta and Genoa is tougher to call with a draw on the cards.

Anyone looking at  both teams to score lineon Wednesday would do worse than taking the games at Milan, Ayr and Parma.

Recommendations

Van Persie to score

(19-10, unibet)

Arsenal +1

(4-5, boylesports)

Juventus

(4-5, William Hill, BetVictor)

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