Arsenal – Monaco Match Preview
Arsenal will go into this clash happy with the rivals having escaped one of the tournament favourites after finishing second in their group for the third season running but Monaco have gained some momentum going into the game. The Gunners should do much of the pressing in the game with Monaco happy to stop the hosts from organising too many chances. Arsenal have David Ospina who is suffering with a minor back problem so Wojciech Szczesny may be handed a chance to re-stake a claim for the starting spot in goal whilst Hector Bellerin should replace Calum Chambers in the only other change at right-back. Danny Welbeck is likely to continue to get the nod over Walcott on the right, with Arteta, Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain all likely to remain sidelined. Leonardo Jardim’s men, on the other-hand, have proven to be somewhat of an impenetrable force, conceding just once in the group stages, and have lost just one of their last 10 matches in Ligue 1. Teenager Almamy Toure may get the nod to replace the left-back if he is forced to join the likes of Raggi, Carvalho and Bakayoko on the sidelines. Meanwhile Jeremy Toulalan will miss out through suspension so João Moutinho is likely to be partnered in a 4-2-3-1 formation by Geoffrey Kondogbia.
A top football prediction would be to back Arsenal -1.0 Asian handicap you’ll get your money back if Arsenal win by a single goal and make a profit at good odds if they win by two or more goals.
Our Probable Formations:
Arsenal (4.2.3.1) Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Cazorla, Coquelin, Welbeck, Özil, Sanchez and Giroud.
Monaco (4.2.3.1) Subasic, Fabinho, Abdennour, Wallace, Kurzawa, Kondogbia, Moutinho, Dirar, Silva, Ferreira-Carrasco and Berbatov.
BetAdvisor Top Tips:
Arsenal have scored at least 2 goals in their last 5 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers).
Arsenal are undefeated in their last 5 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers).
Monaco go into the game on a fantastic run of form – they’ve lost just once in 90 minutes in their last 17 matches in all competitions (W12-D4-L1).
Monaco have kept a clean sheet in 90 minutes in 15 of their last 17 matches in all competitions.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Monaco’s last 6 games in the Champions League (including qualifiers).
Monaco have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers).