[Mario]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
10/22/2014

Anderlecht vs Arsenal

Home - Anderlecht
Last away matches - D-W-W-D-D-D

Anderlecht have only managed two points in eight Champions League games. And they have not won in eight Champions League matches and Arsenal will need to win both home and away if they are to avoid finishing second for the four consecutive season. They will probably compete with Galatasaray for the Europa League spot. Both sides have 1 point each, which they got from their game in the opening round. This Wednesday, Anderlecht play against Arsenal and grabbing at least a point in this clash would get them a step closer to the Champions League.

Away - Arsenal
Last away matches - L-W-L-D-D-D

Arsenal are in the group stage of the Champions League for the 17 consecutive season, but have failed to go beyond the round of 16 for the last four years.After the disappointment of his sides 2-2 home draw with Hull, Arsene Wenger has some good news on the injury front with Aaron Ramsey, who came off the bench on Saturday, returning after recovering from a hamstring injury and Theo Walcott available for the first time since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Tottenham back in January.

Asian Handicap
Home - (+1.00)
Away - (-1.00)
Pick - Arsenal (-1.00)
Odds - 2.40
Stakes - 9/10
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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
10/22/2014

AS Monaco vs Benfica

Home - AS Monaco
Last away matches - D-D-W-L-W-L

AS Monaco have completely reversed their slow start to the season that saw them lose 3 of their first 5 competitive matches, all of which came in the French Ligue 1. But their first match in Group C of the Champions League marked a change in their form, as they utilized a 1:0 home victory over Bayer Leverkusen to ignite their play. Now, they have won 4 times, drawn twice, and lost just once in their last 7 contests, a stretch that included impressive road draws with both Zenit St. Petersburg and Paris Saint-Germain. While the offensive side of the ball remains a real question mark for Monaco since the sales of Colombian duo Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez, they have begun to find the fine defensive form that helped them to a 2nd place finish last season in Ligue 1. They have now conceded just 2 goals in their last 7 matches in all competitions, and if Dimitar Berbatov, who has managed to score just twice in 12 contests, can find his scoring boots, the Red and Whites could be enjoying an extended run in this season’s Champions League competition. Of course, the Bulgarian has picked up an ankle injury and will miss out for this match, and the recently-returned Lacina Traore will likely lead the line.

Away - Benfica
Last away matches - W-L-W-W-W-L

Benfica Lisbon picked up where they left off from last season in their domestic exploits, opening their campaign with 9 straight unbeaten while managing to claim victory on 8 of those occasions. 22 goals through that stretch will have manager Jorge Jesus delighted with the form of his attacking players, especially that of Eduardo Salvio, Nicolas Gaitan, and impressive Brazilian youngster Talisca. However, their European involvement hasn’t been so successful, as the Portuguese club fell to defeat in both of their opening matches and now find themselves in last place of Group C at 4 points adrift the leaders and this week’s opponent, Monaco. This match will hold critical implications on Benfica’s chances to advance to the knockout round, and while they will take encouragement from their domestic form, the majority of the competition in Europe is far stronger than that of the Primeira Liga. Nevertheless, Jorge Jesus knows that there are still 4 matches remaining, 2 of which are at home, and he very well could be content taking a point on the road against the current table-toppers.

Asian Handicap
Home - (-0.50)
Away - (+0.50)
Pick - AS Monaco (-0.50)
Odds - 2.42
Stakes - 10/10
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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
10/22/2014

Atletico Madrid vs Malmo

Home - Atletico Madrid
Last away matches - L-W-L-W-D-D

Atletico, who were beaten in last season's final by Real Madrid, opened their campaign with a surprise defeat at Olympiacos, but recorded a 1-0 win over Italian champions Juventus last time out. Atletico Madrid are the reigning team of the Primera, but it seems they’ll find hard time to keep the title this season as the competition is fierce. They surely want to compete for a title, if not in the Liga BBVA, than in some other competition. That is why the Champions League game with Malmo is very important to them.Atleti have very right to hope for a good result in this game as their players are way much better than Malmo’s. They proved their quality by beating the Italian heavyweights Juventus in the previous round.

Away - Malmo
Last away matches - W-W-L-D-L-L

Malmo, meanwhile, have also taken three points from their first two matches, with their 2-0 win over Olympiacos earlier this month their first victory in the group stages of a UEFA competition. Malmo are dominating the Swedish Allsvenskan, where they are topping the table with confidence. They can relax as they’ll probably win that competition again. But, their ambitions are higher – Malmo wants to get at least on the 3rd spot in the Champions League. In the previous round, they beat Olympiakos at home, but on Wednesday a much tougher challenge awaits them.

Asian Handicap
Home - (-1.75)
Away - (+1.75)
Pick - Malmo (+1.75)
Odds - 2.16
Stakes - 9/10