Champions League: Compelling Contest Awaits in Andalusia

Sevilla vs Arsenal

The victors in this Champions League contest can very much take charge of their own destiny in Group B.

That makes the first instalment of this double header between Sevilla and Arsenal a potentially key clash in the group stages.

The pedigree of both sides also makes it a potentially compelling clash in which we can expect Champions League highlights.

Talking Points

Ahead of Tuesday night, both teams were involved in exciting domestic battles of their own on Saturday teatime.

Sevilla dared to dream when they took a 74^th minute lead against Real Madrid via an own goal.

As with a team of their class, Real hit back within four minutes but it was honours even as they frustrated their illustrious opponents to become only the second side so far this season to take points off Madrid.

After a slow start when they survived two disallowed goals for Real, Sevilla settled and created a hostile environment for the visitors – something their fans will want to do again in midweek.

As for Arsenal, they appeared to be slipping to a defeat at London rivals Chelsea in the Premier League only to net twice in seven second half minutes to earn a draw and preserve their unbeaten league record.

It was a showing that saw manager Mikel Arteta regularly berate his players regularly for their carelessness, but there can be no questions about their character as they snatched a point with a late rally.

Those results will give confidence to both teams in what should be a very different encounter to their meeting last summer in the Emirates Cup – effectively, a pre-season friendly in which Sevilla were much further behind with their pre-season preparations, while Arsenal were on the final stretch.

In Europe, they have three points after an opening victory over PSV Eindhoven was followed by a reverse at Lens.

That was a game in which the Gunners were sloppy and below par and were punished by the French side.

Sevilla, meanwhile, have two draws from meetings with the same opponents.

Arsenal will start as favourites after making such a strong start domestically and have already clocked victories – albeit somewhat fortuitously – over both Manchester clubs.

The Andalusians have not and before their clash with Real found themselves in 14^th place in La Liga with just two victories from eight contests.

Yet as they showed in the final few months of last season – and on Saturday night – they can turn it on when it matters as they climbed away from the lower reaches domestically and despatched Manchester United, Juventus and Roma en route to winning the Europa League for a record seventh time.

This is a crucial period for them, however, as they adapt to yet another new manager.

The Andalusians have just sacked Jose Luis Mendilibar and appointed Diego Alonso and even their owner was caught on camera calling the decision a big gamble.

Mendilibar worked wonders when he first took over as head coach but he has now become the latest victim of the club’s managerial merry-go-round, as the third club exit in the last year,

If Alonso can follow up the Madrid draw with victory against Arsenal, he will quickly get the fans, and his new employers on his side.

History

This will be just the third time the clubs have met competitively.

The other two came in the group stages of the 2007-08 Champions League when both home sides tasted victory.

In North London, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Eduardo scored the goals in a 3-0 Arsenal win.

Fast forward little over two months and it was Sevilla who enjoyed home comforts with a 3-1 success, courtesy of Seydou Kéita, Luis Fabiano and a Frederic Kanoute penalty.

All this after Eduardo had given Arsenal the lead in the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

Betting Tip

Perhaps given the disruption, it’s no surprise that it’s Arsenal all the way with the SBOTOP Champions League betting odds.

They can be backed 1X2 @ 1.85 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.11 with Sevilla as far out as 1X2 @ 3.70 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.05.

A repeat of their previous meeting in this part of Spain – Correct Score 3-1 – will pay out at a whopping @ 48.00.

Two sides who love to attack sees goal options including over 2.75 @ 2.06, total goal 0-1 @ 3.65, 2-3 @ 1.94 and 4-6 @ 3.30.

I am actually opting for honours even as both sides keep themselves in contention for the knockout stages and the ‘new manager bounce’ kicks in for the hosts.

 

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