Fenerbahce v Arsenal Betting

FENERBAHCE V ARSENAL BETTING – 21st OCTOBER 2008

Round three of the 2008-09 Champions’ League group stages sees Turkcell Super League runners-up, Fenerbahce, host Premiership 3rd-placed finishers Arsenal, in a Group G tie at Istanbul’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. The two sides have never met before, so there is no head-to head form on which to base judgements. Get a Free £25 bet on Fenerbahce v Arsenal when you join either 888sport or Blue Square.

CURRENT FORM

Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce have made a poor start to their domestic season, having lost four out of six Super League matches to currently lie 12th in the table. Coach Luis Aragones’ worries have not been alleviated by his team’s opening matches in the Champions’ League. Fenerbahce were completely dominated by FC Porto in their opening tie. They were two down after 14 minutes, and despite Daniel Guiza getting one back, against the run of play, on the half hour, Lino’s injury-time strike sealed a straightforward 3-1 victory for Porto. Fenerbahce have boasted an excellent home record in European competition in recent seasons. However, their 0-0 draw with Dynamo Kiev was another lacklustre performance, with the Ukrainian side easily absorbing the pressure.

Arsenal
Arsenal have made a somewhat mixed start to their domestic season, amassing 13 points from 7 games to lie 4th in the Premiership table. However, losses at Fulham and at home to Hull tend to temper confidence somewhat. In the Champions’ League, Arsenal were lucky to escape with a point from their opening tie with Dynamo Kiev, in the Ukraine. The Gunners trailed to a Bangoura penalty after 65 minutes, but skipper William Gallas bundled in a late equaliser to save Arsenal’s blushes. Arsenal’s subsequent fixture against FC Porto at the Emirates Stadium saw normal service resumed, a brace each for Robin Van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor securing a comfortable 4-0 win.

KEY PLAYERS

Fenerbahce
Punters will doubtless be familiar with the stars of the Arsenal team, but Fenerbahce’s influential players may be something less than household names. Skipper Alex (Alexsandro de Souza), former captain of the Brazil national side, was signed from Brazilian club Cruzeiro in 2004. Renowned for his playmaking, Alex is a skilful left-footed midfielder, who is a specialist at free-kicks penalties and corners. However, this has never stopped him scoring from open play and he is definitely one to watch. Another to note may be Spanish international striker Daniel Guiza, who became the Super League’s most expensive foreign player when signed from Mallorca for ?14 million, in July 2008. He has already scored twice in the current Champions’ League campaign.

Arsenal
Arsenal captain William Gallas has proved especially valuable in the 2008-09 Champions’ League, scoring twice against FC Twente in qualification, along with the equaliser against Dynamo Kiev. Signed from Barcelona in 2003, Cesc Fabregas has established himself as a technically gifted playmaker in the centre of the Arsenal midfield, and one of the most coveted young players in the game.

TEAM NEWS

Fenerbahce
Influential midfielder Emre Belozoglu and defender Gokhan Gonul picked up injuries during Fenerbahce’s 4-1 Super League home defeat by Kayserispor and have withdrawn from the Turkish national side’s World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Estonia. Early indications are that the Arsenal tie will come too soon for both players, who are likely to take some 3 weeks to recover. Emre, rated by some as one of the most accomplished Turkish players ever, is renowned for his dribbling and passing skills. 23-year-old Gokhan is a right full back, with pace in abundance. He is well known for his ability to get forward to aid in attack, precise passing and the ability to beat defenders. The balance of the Fenerbahce side will be upset by the absence of both players.

Arsenal
Cameroon international centre back Alex Song will be fit, having played a full 90 minutes against Sunderland recently. French midfielder Abou Diaby may also have recovered from a thigh injury, and as Arsenal have no new injury worries, coach Arsene Wenger should have a fully-fit squad for the trip to Istanbul.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds



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    • Written by Sarah Connolly · Filed Under Champions League 

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