Standard Liege

Arsenal V Standard Liege

Tuesday 24^th November – 19:45 GMT

Group H

Respective situations:

Arsenal – The Gunners will become the third English side to progress past the group stage as long as they avoid defeat at The Emirates against the travelling Belgian’s. Arsene Wenger’s side top Group H after three wins and a draw, still unbeaten in six games if you include their two qualifiers with Celtic before the group round proper. They are four points above the team in second place, Olympiakos, so a point is all that’s required for them to book their place in the last sixteen. Were they to lose then they would still only need a point to progress but would have to get that point in Greece against an Olympiakos side that would still be in the running come Match Day 6.

Standard Liege – The Belgian side are still in contention for a second place finish and with that a berth into the last sixteen. However, their dreams could be dashed if they do suffer an expected defeat at Arsenal and Olympiakos beat AZ Alkmaar in Holland. Defeat in England does look extremely likely for them so they will be hoping Alkmaar do them a massive favour elsewhere by at least earning a point against Olympiakos. Were AZ to beat the Greek outfit then Standard Liege would only need to beat the Dutch side in Belgium to progress, baring Arsenal gain at least a point in Greece against Olympiakos. However, were Liege to lose at Arsenal and AZ & Olympiakos to play out a draw, Liege would then need The Gunners to beat the Greek’s, preferably in a big scoreline, while they would need to beat AZ and beat them well back in Liege. A win for Olympiakos at AZ Alkmaar would spell the end for Standard.

Arsenal

Group H Position: 1^st

Group H Form: WWDW

It’s been an unconvincing campaign to date for the Gunners, despite their superior position within the group, a very easy group it has to be said. The same opponent caused them all sorts of problems in the reverse meeting in Belgium, with Standard taking an early 2-0 lead back in Liege. However, Arsenal did come up trumps in the end, via bit of good fortune, beating Liege 3-2, their first competitive victory over the Belgians. Now they go and hunt back-to-back wins over Standard Liege, one that would see them progress into the next round.

Arsenal appeared to be on-fire back in the league, that was until they met the seasons most improved team in Sunderland. Arsene Wenger’s side had their moments at The Stadium of Light but, to be brutally honest, they weren’t at the office and were duly dispatched for their lack of effort and endeavour. Darren bent scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win for Sunderland, a goal that ended Arsenal’s unbeaten run of fourteen games without defeat in all competitions. However, they have still yet to taste defeat at home, or drop a point at The Emirates for that matter, all season and that shouldn’t change on Tuesday.

Arsenal’s brittle display at Sunderland was specifically down to the absence of Robin Van Persie, as the Gunners simply lacked inspiration and the creative spark which Van Persie normally adds to Arsenal’s play in the final third. In the absence of the Dutch international, the mantle of lone striker was passed down to Eduardo, a role he didn’t come up trumps in. He showed very little in terms of off the ball movement, an aspect which makes the Arsenal machine work. Thomas Rosicky & Cesc Fabregas did try their utmost to add some creativity and spark into Arsenal’s play on Saturday but to no avail. With Robin Van Persie out for some time, questions will now be asked of the Gunners after their early prolific spell in front of goal.

Although Van Persie will once again be missing for Arsenal’s next outing, a home fixture with Standard Liege, Arsenal should still get the point they need to progress. They’ve been the pacesetters in the group, leading the way at the top by four points and also heading the goalscoring chart in Group H with 10 goals, conceding the 4 in return. However, Arsenal have kept just one clean sheet in the Group Stage, that coming in a 2-0 win over Olympiakos. With Liege scoring in both of their away encounters to date, perhaps the Arsenal goal could be breached once more.

Standard Liege

Group H Position: 3^rd

Group H Form: LDLW

Standard Liege shouldn’t be short of motivation as they head over to London to take on Arsene Wenger’s, Arsenal side. Not only will they be gunning for revenge after their oh so nearly success in Liege, losing 3-2 to the Gunners after previously leading 2-0, but they will also have their sights set on possibly finishing in second place, hopefully at worst – third place. Although a win for the Belgian’s is unlikely, a point would put them in a very healthy position to at least obtain a third place finish as they head into a potentially Europa League deciding game with AZ in Belgium on the final Match Day.

Back home, Standard Liege have been a difficult side to beat, and, to some extent, they have been just as difficult to beat in the Champions League, with their two defeats in Group H both coming by the slimmest of margins, losing 2-3 at home to Arsenal, and 2-1 away in Olympiakos. Their only success to date came against Olympiakos, winning 2-0, but that did come back in Belgium and not outside of their home country, Liege have yet to register an Champions League away win, with the draw in Alkmaar the best they could manage thus far.

The attacking third is where Liege are most dangerous, as Arsenal found out on Match Day 1, but their intent to play on the front foot often leaves them exposed at the back, although their goals against tally of 6 isn’t the worst I’ve seen. They’ve scored the same amount in return, two of those coming against the Gunners, but they did endure just their second league defeat of the season on Saturday when they lost away at AA Gent, 2-1, while that defeat has meant that Liege have now lost two away league fixtures in as many games. Perhaps we could excuse them for possibly having their sights set on this trip to the English capital but what any side needs heading into a fixture of this magnitude and a game of such importance is form, and Liege’s weekend slip up has left them with very little in terms of that.

The two danger men for Liege will be their forward pairing of Mbokani & Milan Jovanovic. The latter averages a goal every other game for Liege, scoring 51 in 104 first team appearances, while Mbokani betters Jovanovic’s goalscoring average with 32 goals in 62 games. The latter will pose Arsenal a few problems from set-pieces with his imposing strength and stature, standing in at just over 6 foot tall.

Match Verdict:- Arsenal to WIN – 1.33 Bet365

It’s hard to envisage the Arsenal defence conceding more then the Liege back four, what with the array of talent Arsene Wenger has it his disposal compared to his opposite number. The midfield is where this game will be settled, in Arsenal’s favour that is, as the likes of Thomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri, Arshavin & Cesc Fabregas should dominate and control the centre of the park. Liege could pose a few problems when they do stretch their legs in the Arsenal third but we expect the game to be spent mainly the Liege third. Edurado will be aiming to amend for his baron 90 minutes at Sunderland on Saturday so perhaps he could prove a beneficial punt to score during 90 minutes as alternatives punts are advised due to Arsenal’s poor price.

Match Odds:

Arsenal – 1.33 Bet365

Draw – 5.50 Skybet

Standard Liege – 12.00 PaddyPower

SoccerBetting Value Bet: Eduardo Anytime Goalscorer – 2.10 BlueSquare

Standard Liege V Arsenal

Kick-Off: Wednesday 16^th September – 19:45 GMT

Venue: Stade Maurice Dufrasne (Belgium)

Arsenal face a potentially difficult trip to Belgium on Wednesday as Belgian champions; Standard Liege, lye in waiting. Liege will be making their Champions League début in the groups and they will have high ambitions of putting in a creditable display in front of their home fans. Arsene Wenger, on the other hand, will have his work cut out this season if he is to match Arsenal’s last season performance which seen them go as far as the Semi-Final’s.

Potential Shock

This may look a straightforward game for Arsenal but Standard Liege represent a potential banana skin for Arsenal. For those of you who keep scratching your head on whether Standard Liege does sound familiar, well, it should. They pushed Liverpool all the way last season when Liege took the English side into Extra-Time before eventually losing 1-0 via a late Dirk Kuyt strike. They also gave Everton a run for their money before exiting the Europa League, so Standard Liege have been a tricky opponent in recent years for English teams

Arsenal will be aiming to go one better than last season when they reached the Semi-Final’s before coming up short once again against Manchester United. This season, though, the Gunners do look a lot lighter and Arsene Wenger will have to work doubly hard if he is to mastermind another fine Arsenal run in this years Champions League.

Domestic Form

Standard Liege have made extremely hard work of their early fixtures back in the Belgian Jupiler League, considering they were the champions last season. Liege have only managed to win two of their opening six league fixtures, drawing the other five. They have remained unbeaten but the fact that they’ve only won once at home in three attempts this season does leave a lot to be desired, especially as their next opponents is a silky Arsenal side.

Arsenal got off to the best possible start back in domestic action, smashing Everton 6-1 at Goodison Park and then easing past Portsmouth at The Emirates, 4-1. However, their early glory has diminished with the ‘Gunners’ losing back-to-back games in the Premiership, with defeats away at both Manchester United & Manchester City. However, considering the stature of the two opponents, Arsenal did put up some stern resistance in both games but those defeats will have dented the early momentum Arsenal had built up.

The Standard Liege Factor

Standard Liege have been the upcoming team of Belgium in recent years, and their league success last season will be one of many to come. They do posses some very talented individuals, and some that will cause Arsenal a few problems. Steven Defour, the Liege captain, will be the cog that holds the Liege team together in the centre of the park. He’s been wanted by several of Europe’s big clubs, including; Everton, Liverpool & Barcelona.

Liege’s biggest asset is certainly going forward. The striking partnership of Igor De Camargo & Dieumerci Mbokani has been fruitful in recent seasons, with De Camargo one of the inform players in Belgium. Both are very tall and they will cause the Arsenal defence all sorts of problems in the air.

Arsenal will play their usual quick but slick passing style to get the result they so desperately crave after a dreadful run of results. Robin Van Persie took a knock to the head at the weekend but he will be fit to start from the off, while Thomas Rosicky, who has only just returned to the Arsenal fold, should make his first Champions League appearance for over two years. Denilson will start in the centre of midfield and he will need to have a watchful eye on Defour, while Thomas Vermaelen & William Gallas will have a tough job on their hands of containing Liege’s lanky striking duo.

Betting Market

Arsenal’s reputation around the globe has earned them favouritism here but the Gunners, after a dreadful run of results, look a very good lay here. Standard Liege are no mugs and at odds of 13/2 with Ladbrokes, they look stunning value to stun Arsenal in Belgium. However, the draw looks a very safe but profitable bet at 3/1 with Bet365. If you really must then Arsenal can be backed at as low as 4/7 with BetFred.

Betting Odds:

Standard Liege – 13/2 Ladbrokes

Arsenal – 4/7 BetFred

Draw – 3/1 Bet365

SoccerBetting Tip: Draw – 3/1 Bet365