Football Bet of the Day: Rice to lead Arsenal’s charge

Arsenal will be looking to keep their Champions League hopes alive when they visit Parc des Princes on Wednesday night (20:00, live on TNT Sports 1) for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

The French side deservedly claimed a 1-0 win at the Emirates last week, and Mikel Arteta's side followed that up by losing at home to Bournemouth at the weekend, so a much-improved performance is needed here. Read on for my Football Bet of the Day for Wednesday, May 7.

Football Odds

As mentioned in the introduction, Arsenal will have to win in Paris to salvage their Champions League hopes, and after losing the first leg 1-0 at home last week, they're potentially looking at a doomsday scenario if the worst pans out.

The Gunners could end another campaign empty-handed while Liverpool have won the Premier League, Newcastle United have lifted the Carabao Cup, Manchester City could win the FA Cup, Chelsea have the chance to secure the Conference League, and both Spurs or Manchester United remain in the hunt for the Europa League ahead of this week's semi-final second legs.

Arteta's side are now 3/1 to win the tie, but only two teams have ever managed to progress from a Champions League semi-final after losing the first leg at home so history is firmly against the Gunners.

Wednesday's hosts were beaten at the weekend, but I think that can be dismissed as Luis Enrique's men have already been declared French champions so naturally their domestic focus has slipped.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Arsenal Odds

PSG have already eliminated two Premier League sides to get to this stage - they got the better of Liverpool in the last-16, before beating Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.

As expected, the Parisians are 5/4 to win in 90 minutes on Wednesday, but they're massive favourites to win the tie and book their place in the final at 2/9.

Rather than trying to predict the result, I'm turn my focus to the anytime goalscorer market for my Football Bet of the Day and back England international Declan Rice to find the back of the net on Wednesday night.

The former West Ham United man didn't manage to land a shot on target in the first leg but I'll keep my faith in him here. Rice has had seven shots on target in 12 Champions League games this term, as well as five goals in his last 14 appearances, and he also got on the scoresheet against Bournemouth at the weekend.

In addition, his two free-kicks against Real Madrid won't be forgotten in a hurry. At 6/1, the 26-year-old holds plenty of appeal to get on the scoresheet.

Offers

Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven: Get double or treble the odds if your winning First Goalscorer bet scores a 2nd and 3rd

Build your own Bet Builder bet (3/1+) of 4+ legs on PSG v Arsenal and get 100% of your stake back in Free Bets up to £10 if you lose. (Credited within 24 hours)

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down

You can read all our latest Football Bet of the Day offerings at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.