Football Bet of the Day: Arsenal can turn Champions League tie around

The international break has come to an end in the men’s game, but we’ve got two belting Women’s Champions League quarter-final second legs coming our way. Live on DAZN and their YouTube channel, Arsenal will be hoping to turn around a two-goal deficit against Spanish giants Real Madrid. This massive game at the Emirates Stadium (20:00), takes our focus for Wednesday’s Football Bet of the Day. 

Arsenal Women vs Real Madrid Women Odds

There’s been an awful lot of discussion about the first leg that occurred over in the Spanish capital. The main talking point has been the condition of the pitch at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium which was in such bad condition that Ian Wright labelled it a “f**king disgrace” on Instagram. 

It was so bad that Uefa may now intervene on where these fixtures can be played, while it seems incredibly odd that Real Madrid didn’t use the Santiago Bernabeu for this Champions League quarter-final clash rather than their second-rate arena. The pitch did make a big difference in that first leg as Arsenal had the better of the opening period before a poor error from Leah Williamson at the back allowed Linda Caicedo to capitalise and put the hosts in front. 

On a smooth surface she may have dealt with the bobbling through ball but as it was, she missed it completely to allow the striker to convert. On the whole, Arsenal played well, but couldn’t find the cutting edge.

Football Odds

Beth Mead drove in an effort that whistled just wide of the post before the break, and that was one of 13 shots that Arsenal had in the first leg, in comparison to Real Madrid’s three. However, the hosts were just more efficient in front of goal, adding a second in the second half, leaving the Gunners with plenty of work to do as we look forward to the return leg.

So, why am I backing them to win by two goals in 90 minutes? Well, I think Arsenal are the superior team here and will be able to qualify for the semi-finals even from this position. They shaded the first leg as I have already mentioned, and I think the major factor will be the Emirates Stadium here. 

Not only will they be backed by a large and vocal home support, the pitch will actually be suitable for a Champions League quarter-final. Critics will point to the fact that the pitch was the same for both teams, but Arsenal couldn’t get their passing style going and Real Madrid went direct to Caicedo on multiple occasions, with the pitch benefiting that style of play more. 

Real Madrid will sit in a low block in north London and look to grind out this win. But, I can’t see them holding on for 90 minutes against a side with so much attacking power. I think Alessia Russo will have a big role to play, but if she doesn’t find the net, the Gunners can call upon the likes of  Mead, Chloe Kelly, Stina Blackstenius or Mariona Caldentey to find the net. They all have the individual ability to turn this game in Arsenal’s favour, and I truly believe they will qualify, even at 2-0 down. 

I’ll back them to win with a -1 handicap in normal time to force extra-time as we truly don’t know what will happen from there. That’s my Football Bet of the Day for Wednesday, March 26.

Offers

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