Champions League – Group G & H

Its time for Champions League again and this is the second round of the group stage. As usual the games are divided up in two days.

On Thursday its group E – H and Wednesday of course A – D.

In this text I am going to give you my analyze from the four matches in group G and H and present the odds from these matches. Some of the matches are valuable bets and the in the others I will just share my thoughts and maybe you can have my input when you make your own choice of bets.

Group G

Glasgow Rangers  3.50   draw  3.30    FC Sevilla   1.95

Unirea Urziceni     4.00  draw  3.35  VfB Stuttgart  1.80

Group H

AZ Alkmaar     1.70   draw  3.50  Standard Liege  4.40

FC Arsenal       1.18   draw  5.75   Olympiakos     12.00

My best pick from these matches:

AZ Alkmaar vs Standard Liege, home win @ 1.70

I have strong feeling that AZ can win today and feel that this is a god bet.

First of all the Dutch league (ere divise) is way better then the Belgian. And then they have the home advantage in this game. AZ has been closing the best team in Holland for several of years and last year they got a well deserved victory.

If I compare the top teams in Holland and Belgium its pretty obvious that the Dutch teams are way ahead. For example I hold all the three favourites in Holland,; Psv Eindhoven, Ajax and AZ Alkmar stronger then the three top teams in Belgium; Anderlecht, Club Brugge and Standard Liege.

This is a very important game for both this clubs even though it’s “only” the second round. Because both teams lost their opening games I assume none of the clubs actually afford to loose and still have a realistic chance to fight for a place in Champions leagues knock out round.

I have to give cred to Standard Liege to have qualified to Champions League. But they did it by winning the Belgian league and not trough any CL qualification since there are som changes in the qualification rules from this year.

Even AZ was directly qualified to the group stage but my guess is that Standard would have way harder to reach so far with the “older” rules.

Finally I think that Standard Liege have been a big hyped after their 2 – 0 lead against Arsenal in the first round (ended 2 – 3 to Arsenal). Arsenal had several injuries and players not available in that match so even though it was pretty strong to lead with 2 – 0 you shouldn’t take that all too serious. I think that AZ has great chances to win at home and bet a home win here.

My analyzes from the other matches:

FC Arsenal vs Olympiakos

After having several players away from the first match it looks better for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger now. And of course Arsenal should win this match but I would never ever touch the odds 1.18 to bet on Arsenal. Instead 5.00 on the draw or maybe even 12.00 on away win are more tempting for me.

Even though Arsenal is the stronger side and even though Arsenal is playing home at Emirates my advice is to not bet Arsenal today. Olympiakos have won all there three played matches away in the league and even though those teams can’t be compared with Arsenal I say big NO.

Glasgow Rangers vs Sevilla

Rangers from Glasgow are Scotland’s hope in Champions League this year after that Celtic was knocked out by Arsenal in the final qualification round. Sevilla has shown strength in the league and last weekends win away against Athletic Bilbao (0 – 4) away was impressing.

Both Glasgow Rangers and Celtic are hard to beat on their own home ground with their fanatic fans behind them. But lately I don’t think that the Scottish top teams are standing up that well in Europe any longer as they used to do 5 – 6 years ago.

My feeling is that this is going to be a tough, tight and not to well played match. My feeling is also that Sevilla should be small favourites, and that’s just what the betting company’s thinks as well. If Rangers gets a god start of the match its not impossible for them to draw here, or maybe even win. But if Sevilla gets the first goal I think it will be hard for them to do anything. No bets but an interesting match to look forward to.

Unirea Urziceni vs- VfB Stuttgart

I have to admit that I don’t know so much about Unirea. I know that it is a Romanian football club and I even know that Romanian clubs have starting to go forward in Europe. Last year it was Cluj and now Unirea. I don’t think we should underestimate these clubs since there is so much money pumped into Romanian football.

Stuttgart is of course favourites in this game since they are way better known. But I am not sure where I have Unirea and don’t go into something that can be a trap.

football betting odds from bwin.com

Best regards

/Amrish