Football : Champions League : Qualifying
Tuesday 27th August - Kickoff 7:45pm
Arsenal
The Gunners have bounced back incredibly well from 10 days ago. Having lost their opening game of the season, they won in Istanbul (0-3) as well as beating Fulham at Craven Cottage a few days later.
On Tuesday night they have an almost unassailable lead. 3 away goals to their name and now at home it's no shock to see bookies quoting odds of 1.01 for Arsenal to make the Group Stages once again.
Team news ahead of this one is that Wilshere should start whilst Koscielny should start after his head injury in last week's first leg. Vermaelen, Diaby, Arteta and Oxlade-Chamberlain are missing but they missed last week's first leg too.
At the Emirates in the Champions League, Arsenal are very strong. They have lost 2 of their last 3 games both to German opposition (Schalke 0-2 and last year's winners Bayern 1-3) but they are the only losses in 19 games going back to 2009, of which 14 ended in home wins.
Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce have it all to do in London on Tuesday night and Yanal's side will be attacking from the off. A 0-3 away win only takes it to extra time and if Arsenal score they need 4 and so forth so it looks incredibly bleak for the Istanbul based side.
At the weekend Fenerbahce responded to the loss agaisnt Arsenal by beating Eskişehirspor 1-0. The win is their first this season having lost the Turkish Super Cup to Galatasaray and then 3-2 to Konyaspor despite leading 0-2 at half time.
The Turks were the cause of their own downfall at times in the first leg with the left back Kadlec guilty of a clumsy barge on Walcott for the penalty. Whilst the keeper Demirel fumbled a tame Ramsey shot for the second into his net. All in all it's hard to see how this side has the confidence or form to come to London and not only win but win by a huge margin as the Europa League lurks for this side.
Betting Verdict
Arsenal drew with Fenerbahce 0-0 at home back in 2008 but as we saw last week, Arsenal won't be afraid of their opponents. In Turkey Arsenal had 16 shots to the Turks 9, 56% possession as well as more corners so a thoroughly dominating performance.
Looking at the weekend results it's again advantage Arsenal, playing in the early kick off in a London Derby after playing in Turkey and scoring 3 goals was excellent. Meanwhile Fenerbahce were labouring to a win at home against lowly opposition.
I like Arsenal to win this leg and ultimately the tie so I will take them via the AH line. Arsenal have won by 2 goals or more in their last 3 Champions League home wins and you can't help but feel as the visitors attack Arsenal will simply pick them off on the break. Arsenal by a couple is the play for me.
Good Luck
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