Some weak(er) bets today, as the matches are little tougher to call. Some x5's instead of x10's. (In case you haven't noticed, I do x10 as someone else would do a x1. I'm a bit odd
Maybe the extra zero brings comfort.
) I like the x5's, just not quite as much.
Champions League
Lyon/Rubin o2.5 x10
Benfica -222 x5
FCK/Plzeň o2.5 -120 x5
Sturm +110 x10
- I like Lyon and Rubin for the over as both teams have great potential to score gunning for entrance onto the big stage. Lyon has had 1-1, 1-1, and 2-2 domestically, and Kazan has has some dynamite offensive potential. And despite being tied for 3rd best in goals against in the RPL, Rubin showed that they can't handle Lyon's offense in the first. I think Kazan goes all out for goals and may get a couple, and Lyon will counterattack for a couple.
- I like Benfica a lot because, although Twente is a tough out, they performed well on the road and are in Portugal for this one. Benfica wants to get back to group and I see no reason why they wouldn't do it at home. Biggest reason I don't like this more is I cannot find more favourable odds.
- København is a nice little squad that always has the potential to shock bigger teams. Unfortunately, they throw up stinkers at home to lesser teams, as they did last week to Plzeň. Coach Nilsson is ready to go all out to grab the aggregate lead, but like in Lyon, Plzeň could land a few counterattacks.
- Sturm Graz should win this battle of mid-tier national champions. No question, historically BATE is the bigger and more successful club, acing their domestic, and Sturm just lost a top striker. However, Sturm fought with moxie in the first match for a road draw, and they're coming home to a crowd that will push them into the group stage, which they haven't been to in a decade. And Manuel Weber is underrated. Again, logic says BATE, intangibles say Sturm Graz. Arnold Schwarzenegger is from Graz.
As you can see, I can't trust Arsenal on the day. Typically Arsenal with a plus sign against a lesser side is a sure bet. But they've had a bad start in the EPL and didn't have the greatest result at home against Udinese. I could see Arsenal winning 5-0 or Udinese sending them to the Europa Leage 2-0.
If I had to pick winners, again not as easy as yesterday, I go Rubin Kazan, Sturm Graz, Benifica, Arsenal, and Plzeň. I think Arsenal gets their had out of their arse and wins on the road. Lastly, Pilsner Urquell trumps Carlsberg.