AC Milan vs. Arsenal: Champions League Betting Preview

AC Milan’s record against Premier League sides in recent years is woeful and I don’t see the Rossoneri improving on it on Wednesday.

The Italian giants take on Arsenal in a Champions League last-16 first leg tie at the San Siro but, even at just over 2.00 on home soil, they don’t appear to represent any value and I’m happy to lay at the prices.

The Serie A leaders, currently by two points from rivals Juventus, rallied late on to land the spoils at Udinese on the weekend but that win came despite another lacklustre performance and was their first triumph in four matches.

Having toiled in their previous seven games versus English sides, scoring just four times in as many losses and three draws, it is hard to be too enthusiastic about Massimiliano Allegri’s side’s chances and I take the Gunners to advance.

Arsenal’s domestic form has been patchy, to say the least, this term but 12 goals in a current unbeaten run of four matches bodes well for their trip to Italy and they do have excellent recent memories of clashes with Wednesday’s opponents.

The class of 2012 are not yet the force of Arsene Wenger’s charges from 2008, led by Cesc Fabregas, but a 2-0 win then at the famous stadium indicates Milan are vulnerable on their own patch and Juve triumphed there, too, just seven days ago.

With the pace of Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and new starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the counter-attack, Arsenal have all the ammunition to cause the hosts problems and I’ll be a surprise if they don’t find the net at least once.

I want to be against Milan in the match odds market tonight and also think Arsenal represent value to qualify. Even money will do for me and home advantage in the second leg could prove crucial.

1pt Lay Milan (vs. Arsenal) @ 2.10 (Betfair) 1pt Back Arsenal To Qualify @ 2.00 (Bet Victor)