UCL: Arsenal V Braga – Wednesday, 15th September

Arsenal V Braga

Wednesday, 15th September – 19:45 GMT
LIVE on ITV1

UEFA Champions League: Group H

Arsenal

The Gunners are still seeking their first UEFA Champions League triumph, going close in 2005/2006 when losing 2-1 to Barcelona in the final, and will pin all their hopes and expectations on their ever maturing side coming of age in this year’s competition, where it really is anyone and everyone’s for the taken. They’ve already received the rub of the green with a lightweight Group H containing FK Partizan, Shakthar Donestk and SC Braga, but will they make the most of it and turn 2010/2011 into a winning campaign.

It’s been ten years since Arsenal last failed to reach the knock-out stage of the tournament, a healthy run which shouldn’t come to a halt in this seasons competition. While trips to Serbia & Ukraine pose some difficult and gruelling obstacles, their opponents shouldn’t really trouble the Gunners who are expected to comfortably seal their place in the last-sixteen. An early setback would, however, scupper their chances slightly so the importance of avoiding any potential slip up on match day 1 at home to Braga couldn’t be greater; a team which definitely shouldn’t be taken lightly by the Gunners despite Arsenal’s impressive record over Portuguese opponents in recent seasons.

Arsenal’s opponents on Wednesday night are that of Braga, whom finished second in Liga Sagres last term behind winners Benfica, and arguably provide Arsenal with an early banana skin if they don’t take them seriously and approach this game with professionalism. Arsene Wenger’s side do, though, boast a tidy record against Portuguese opponents having lost just once to a side originating from Portugal, while they’ve despatched of FC Porto, the leading player in Portuguese football over the last decade or so, in the last two seasons, scoring nine goals without conceding.

Arsene Wenger doesn’t have any fresh injury concerns other than Thomas Vermaelen is a doubt after missing Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Bolton at the weekend with an Achilles problem. With Robin Van Persie sidelined, Moroccan born Marouane Chamakh, who got on the score sheet for the Gunners over the weekend, will once again lead the line on his lonesome, with Arshavin, Samir Nasri, Thomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas packing the midfield with guile and craft.

Braga

SC Braga, Portugal’s runners-up in Liga Sagres last season, will look to continue their impressive run of form in Europe when they travel to England on Wednesday night for an exciting encounter with a club they’ve idolised for years in Arsenal. Braga’s team colours are based on the Gunners, with the club even given the nickname of the ‘Arsenalistas’ which arguably sounds a great deal better than just ‘Arsenal’. So will they do their exciting nickname justice or will the real Arsenal show their class and put Braga to shame?

Despite having never played in the Champions League previously, Braga’s reputation in the competition is already a formidable one after claiming the scalps of both Celtic and Sevilla during two difficult Champions League qualifiers. They comfortably seen off Celtic’s challenge, winning 4-2 on aggregate, while they surprised virtually everyone with their performances against Sevilla over two legs, winning 1-0 in Portugal before registering a stunning 4-3 over in Spain against a Sevilla side which made the knock-out’s of last term’s competition.

The man at the Braga helm, Domingos Paciencia, couldn’t be any prouder of his players but this is no time to celebrated and saviour the moment. Their group, Group H, is favourable to say the least and a bright start to the campaign in the English capital would possibly send them on their way to the knock-out’s, where further glamorous ties await them in the last-sixteen. And it’s not as if they aren’t without a realistic chance of making the cut, with their lethal counter-attacking style paying dividends so far and if they can somehow remain clinical in front of goal at The Emirates then perhaps another shock could be on the cards.

We were fortunate enough to see prolonged periods of Braga’s ties with Celtic and Sevilla, where the Portuguese outfit were sensational on the break; punishing opponents which boasted a great deal more European pedigree than they did with aplomb. Matheus in particular proved an effective asset for Braga, scoring three times in the aggregate wins over Celtic and Sevilla, while another Brazilian, Alan, will cause the Arsenal full-backs all sorts of problems with his energetic bursts down the flanks, as well as his fearless attitude when it comes to cutting inside and having a pop at goal. There is goals in this Braga team and that is why they merit the utmost respect.

Match Prediction: Arsenal to WIN – 1.29 Boylesports

Arsenal are more than certain to be the aggressor in this fixture, while Braga will be content to spend the majority of the game on the back foot, with ten men behind the ball looking to capitalize on Arsenal’s tendency to overcommit. If Arsenal get off to a flyer than I don’t envisage they’ll have too many problems securing the win they need, but if they don’t put away the early chances then don’t be surprised to see Braga punish them later on when Gunner’s legs begin to tire.

I don’t see much value in Arsenal’s price where Braga look tremendous value, but at the same time I can only see one winner: Arsenal. Their midfield has so much vision and creativity that I don’t see how Braga will contain them for the full 90 minutes, so, unfortunately, preference is for Arsenal as they begin with a bang as Braga receive an early, but useful, lesson in what the game is like at this level.

Soccer-Betting Value Bet: Both Teams to Score – 2.20 WilliamHill

Match Odds:

Arsenal – 1.29 Boylesports
Draw – 5.50 SkyBet
Braga – 13.00 Boylesports