[JOHON8]

Best bet Pre-Game for me seems to be over 2.5. A lot of important solid defensive/midfield players missing from both sides. Thoughts?

Arsenal
Out: Aaron Ramsey (broken leg), Robin van Persie (ankle ligaments), Kieran Gibbs (broken metatarsal), Johan Djourou (knee), Cesc Fàbregas (leg), William Gallas (calf), Andrey Arshavin (calf), Alex Song (right knee)
Doubtful: Sol Campbell (hamstring)
Suspended: Cesc Fàbregas
Misses next match if booked: Gaël Clichy, Robin van Persie, Abou Diaby

Barcelona
Out: Zlatan Ibrahimović (calf)
Doubtful: Jeffrén (calf), Yaya Touré (bruised ankle), Andrés Iniesta (thigh)
Suspended: Carles Puyol, Gerard Piqué
Misses next match if booked: none
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionslea...iumph+tributes

[JOHON8]

I just looked at the odds, over 2.5 isn't even worth it (1.5), any thoughts about over 3.5 (2.6)? I hate to even make this play in a CL game but for this one it looks really likely.

Bojan and Messi were great on the weekend, I don't think Ibrahimovic missing will be a factor here.

[Shark79]

None of them look promising right now.

Having Puyol and Piqué out are strong reasons why Barcelonas defense might receive a goal or two, however, without Fabregas or Arshavin handling Arsenals attack, I dont see them even getting a shot on goal, at least one that you would think has a high % of getting through.

I think I will just sit back on this one and play Inter to win and advance.

[RedDevil11]

Rosicky is 50-50....they don't even have a bench. Could get very ugly. Good luck Gooners

[GazGaz]

Barca -1.5 I think with all the Gunners men out they haven't got a prayer.

[colout]

Chygrynskiy who played in the center of defense alongside pique in the weekend, is not qualified to play in the Champions League. So he is also missing. Seems more and more like a Barcelona victory as injuries crashing over Arsenal in those days.

[Ace_of_Spades]

This could easily end 0-0. Wenger may play to nick it by a goal. Plus Barcelona have 2 away goals.

[Karayilan9]

Barcelona won't be doing any defending tomorrow, wouldn't matter if a few of us here were in the back four, Barcelona is going to have 60-70% possession.

Think of this match as what happens when teams of a lower quality than Arsenal try to play Arsenals style, what happens? they get wiped off the park, we saw what happened to the likes of West Brom and whoever else thought they could play the fancy stuff. Barcelona play Arsenals game but better, they don't stand a chance against Barca if they play their usual style. A team like Stoke would have a better chance at stopping Barcelona, you have to play dirty, foul alot, disrupt the play and maximize set pieces if you are to stand a chance.

Arsenal have to play negative football to get a result but their stubborn manager won't allow for any of that, this could get really nasty.

[onizuka]

I don't think Arsenal would play negative football even if they should, but just let's wait

[Phillth]

Barcelona will just pass the ball around for 60' of the 90' They dont even need to win the match to move on. They can advance with a 0-0 or 1-1 draw. It is in their best interest to keep this a low scoring affair. 2-2 would result in a extra time. Dont forget they are still duking it out for la liga title. they must conserve energy here.

Here is a preview of the match:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noOHdTQd6H8

[Ace_of_Spades]

Forgot about that, the Classico is on this weekend. That surely is in the players minds. Plus those players that are out, Iniesta, Pique and Puyol, Zlatan are huge missing's. I'm not saying Arsenal are going to win, but there a slight chance it could happen.

[Sforz]

i have this game capped as a complete crap shoot.. going to have to lay off...

[JOHON8]

Give me a good reason why the Classico should affect this game significantly? The only thing that will be affected is the next game, the classico not this match.

I'm not betting pre-game, watching it and might play early if I like the chances of a bet or 2nd half.

[Ace_of_Spades]

Give me a good reason why the Classico should affect this game significantly? The only thing that will be affected is the next game, the classico not this match.

I'm not betting pre-game, watching it and might play early if I like the chances of a bet or 2nd half.

What next match? You mean the next game being Arsenal?

[Goat Milk]

Henry will score.

Arsenal's 3 best players out. Fab, Van Persie, Arch. If you want to beat Barca, you have to make plays. Don't see any playmakers for Arsenal.

[Ace_of_Spades]

Henry will score.

Arsenal's 3 best players out. Fab, Van Persie, Arch. If you want to beat Barca, you have to make plays. Don't see any playmakers for Arsenal.

Rosicky, Nasri, Bendtner(occasionally)

[Goat Milk]

True, you can add Walcott into that discussion. But i'm talkin playmakers man. Guys that can match effectiveness of Messi, Xavi, Henry. Only 3 guys I see putting their mark on a game like those 3 from Arsa are Fab, Archavin, and Van Persie...those are their 3 best fk takers from set pieces too...

[tbill11]

A play that I really like in this game is "Any Result other than Barca HT/FT," meaning that if Barca doesn't win the half and the full game, I win my wager. Odds are at -106 for any other result, and at -104 for Barca to win HT and Full time. I personally think that Arsenal can keep it close for the first half, and this leaves a lot of other possibilities open. This could be a good bet on either side though!

[Gargamel]

For probably the first time this year I consider playing a pre-game corner play. I'm not TOO sure the over will hit, bot over 11 corners at -110 seems like a good shout to me. At least one team will attack all game long to make sure this one hits. I'll play this and nothing else on this one.

[AssAn]

For probably the first time this year I consider playing a pre-game corner play. I'm not TOO sure the over will hit, bot over 11 corners at -110 seems like a good shout to me. At least one team will attack all game long to make sure this one hits. I'll play this and nothing else on this one.

any idea about the corners in the 1st game?

[bruceBRUCEbruce]

thinking about a small play on gooners +1.5 -115 just for the hell of it.

[EaglesPhan36]

I'd actually lean under 3.5/3 here. Barca has the important two away goals to their credit already and should be content with picking up a goal at home and knowing Arsenal doesn't have much that can hurt them if they get a lead. Arsenal was lucky to get a goal against Wolverhampton in the waning moments of that match to snare a 1-0 win. I don't see any worse than a 2-1 Barca win, but won't be surprised to see the Spaniards shut out Arsenal.

[lakerboy]

Barcelona won't be doing any defending tomorrow, wouldn't matter if a few of us here were in the back four, Barcelona is going to have 60-70% possession.

Think of this match as what happens when teams of a lower quality than Arsenal try to play Arsenals style, what happens? they get wiped off the park, we saw what happened to the likes of West Brom and whoever else thought they could play the fancy stuff. Barcelona play Arsenals game but better, they don't stand a chance against Barca if they play their usual style. A team like Stoke would have a better chance at stopping Barcelona, you have to play dirty, foul alot, disrupt the play and maximize set pieces if you are to stand a chance.

Arsenal have to play negative football to get a result but their stubborn manager won't allow for any of that, this could get really nasty.

Exactly thats why he hasnt won jack shit in 5 years.

[Tommy_de1st]

We all know how both teams played in London last week, how many attempts Barca had to score. Tonight it`ll be the same scenario and I dont think itll be another miracle.
Barca-1

[BetfairUser]

For probably the first time this year I consider playing a pre-game corner play. I'm not TOO sure the over will hit, bot over 11 corners at -110 seems like a good shout to me. At least one team will attack all game long to make sure this one hits. I'll play this and nothing else on this one.

not sure about this, i'd take the under (not playing it though), eleven corners is A LOT of corners! In the first leg barca had 4, and arsenal had 0

[Shark79]

The only way I see Arsenal taking this game, is the team is inspired to go forward and play dirty. No other way. The numbers dont give me anything good about this game. At worst I would play the UNDER ... but then again the price is too high for my taste.

[BetfairUser]

The only way I see Arsenal taking this game, is the team is inspired to go forward and play dirty. No other way. The numbers dont give me anything good about this game. At worst I would play the UNDER ... but then again the price is too high for my taste.

Arsenal literally can't play that way though.

[stomptheboard]

nothing else but a comfortable barca victory

[pitman]

shat odds on barca, but rooting for barca after that ridiculous pk last game to equalize.

[Shark79]

None of them look promising right now.

Having Puyol and Piqué out are strong reasons why Barcelonas defense might receive a goal or two, however, without Fabregas or Arshavin handling Arsenals attack, I dont see them even getting a shot on goal, at least one that you would think has a high % of getting through.

I think I will just sit back on this one and play Inter to win and advance.

[tailmypicks]

barca to win by 2 goals

[DwightShrute]

TOTAL o1½+110 (1H ARSENAL FC vrs 1H FC BARCELONA)

BARCELONA -2+175

easy $$$$

[CallMeGENO]

TOTAL o1½+110 (1H ARSENAL FC vrs 1H FC BARCELONA)

BARCELONA -2+175

easy $$$$

Easy money??? Bold statement! GL tho

[Jrod124]

actually leaning toward Aresnal +2 here

[EaglesPhan36]

Barcelona won't be doing any defending tomorrow, wouldn't matter if a few of us here were in the back four, Barcelona is going to have 60-70% possession. Think of this match as what happens when teams of a lower quality than Arsenal try to play Arsenals style, what happens? they get wiped off the park, we saw what happened to the likes of West Brom and whoever else thought they could play the fancy stuff. Barcelona play Arsenals game but better, they don't stand a chance against Barca if they play their usual style. A team like Stoke would have a better chance at stopping Barcelona, you have to play dirty, foul alot, disrupt the play and maximize set pieces if you are to stand a chance. Arsenal have to play negative football to get a result but their stubborn manager won't allow for any of that, this could get really nasty.

Spot on. This is why you're the man.