Two clubs at opposite ends of the league phase table in the Champions League meet in North London on Wednesday night as Arsenal welcome Kazakh side Kairat to the Emirates.
Arsenal have been faultless in the league phase of the Champions League so far, with Mikel Arteta’s hosts winning each of their opening seven matches in the competition.
The latest of those victories came last Tuesday, as they won 1-3 at the San Siro against Serie A leaders Inter.
However, the Gunners saw their lead at the top of the Premier League table cut to four points over the weekend, as they lost 2-3 at home to Manchester United – on an evening in which two of my three selections landed – meaning they’ve now failed to win each of their last three in the Premier League (W0-D2-L1).
Kairat have endured a tough debut campaign in the Champions League, as they sit bottom of the 36-team table after picking up a solitary point across their opening seven league phase contests (W0-D1-L6).
The latest of those defeats came last Tuesday for Rafael Urazbakhtin’s visitors, as they were thrashed 1-4 at home by Club Brugge, confirming their elimination from the competition.
How the bookies view it: Arsenal clear favourites
As expected, Arsenal are clear favourites to preserve their 100% record in this competition on Wednesday night, with bet365 pricing a home success at just 1/25.
Kairat are a whopping 40/1 to clinch their maiden win in this competition, whilst the draw is also unfancied, with bet365 pricing that at 14/1.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
Wednesday night will be the very first meeting between these two clubs.
Players to watch: More Martinelli magic in Europe?
Gabriel Martinelli is Arsenal’s top scorer in the Champions League this campaign, firing in an impressive five goals across his six appearances.
The Brazilian attacker has found the back of the net in each of the Gunners’ three continental clashes at the Emirates this term, and bet365 have priced him at an appealing 6/5 to maintain that record.
Think you’ve found odds that look too good to be true? Explore our Value Betting guide and learn when a price is genuinely favourable.
Predicted line-ups:
Arsenal will be without the suspended Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, whilst Ricardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino are doubts.
Kairat will be without the injured Dastan Satpaev, whilst new signings Lucas Africo, Jaakko Oksanen and Sebastian Zeballos are ineligible.
Arsenal: Kepa, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Norgaard, Martinelli, Madueke, Gyokeres
Kairat Almaty: Anarbekov, Tapalov, Martynovich, Sorokin, Mata, Glazer, Kassabulut, Mrynskiy, Jorginho, Gromyko, Filho
Anything else catch the eye?
This clash is effectively a dead rubber for both sides, but Arsenal will look to end the league phase by maintaining their 100% record.
The Gunners are an unbackable 1/25 just to win, but we can boost that price to 17/20 at Coral/Ladbrokes by adding in under five match goals.
This would’ve been a winning selection in each of Arsenal’s seven victories in the Champions League this season.
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