Partizan`s entire team and everybody supporting this club has been waiting for a match like this for about 7 years, which was the last time Partizan hosted one of the biggest European sides in CL. Partizan clearly thought about this match during their last league game against Spartak as well, so that absence of focus cost them in the finishing so they recorded their first draw of the season, still holding a top spot in the standings. They wasted a lot of good goal-scoring chances, being totally dominant but it can also be said their great, young coach Stanojevic rested a few key players in that game as well. They played quite disciplined against Shakhtar in the first round, losing only by 1:0 but they had their fair share of shots on Shakhtar`s goal and were quite equal to the Ukrainian super-expensive side, especially after they conceded the goal and opened up, proving they can play nice offensive footie only if they are not afraid to attack.
Emergency room
The Gunners are probably one of the unluckiest sides in the world when the injuries are concerned as they are constantly playing without many of their best players for a few seasons now. Coach Wenger is, of course, not desperate as he has enough quality players to field two equally good squads, which was again proven in their Carling Cup game when Wenger used many youngsters against their big rival Tottenham, eventually winning by 4:1 in ET. However, they failed to deliver when everybody expected them the most, and maybe they also thought about their CL fixture much more than they did about WBA, and the visitors took the advantage of it, shocking the Gunners with a 2:3 away win. Goalie Almunia surely won`t have a guaranteed place in their lineup in the future as his mistakes definitely cost Arsenal at least 2 of those 3 goals, and the fact they`re without players like Fabregas, Walcott, Bendtner, Van Persie, Vermaelen, Ramsey, while Gibbs and Rosicky are questionable doesn’t make it any easier on them in this match.
Brave till the end
Partizan is a whole different team compared to the last season when they lacked spirit, morale, and character. Nowadays, even though they have quite the same squad as they had back then, their play is a lot different. Coach Stanojevic emphasized they always need to attack as much as the opponent allows them and with the help of their great fans, in one surely incredible atmosphere, anything can be possible. If they don`t allow Arsenal to hold the ball for the most part of the match and easily get past them and get near their goal, then I see a big chance they eventually score against insecure Arsenal`s defense and maybe even win. The odds are definitely too big, Partizan isn`t that bad at all. The biggest advantage for the hosts here is the fact they will not be under pressure and that they have a great coach on their bench, who keeps saying how this game will be a holiday to all, both players and to all the people off the pitch, and under those circumstances, I see an inspired performance by Partizan and a possible upset. Arsenal, of course, might win by 2-3, or even more, as they`re a team that never gets tired of scoring goals, but I see Partizan`s fans and players performing at a high level and with joint forces, reaching a big result for their club. Once again, the odds are too big, and one will be able to green out in-play for sure in any case. I won`t be able to do so cause I`ll be at the game, but hope you guys use my advice here and earn some profit from this fixture. Good luck.
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Prediction:
Tip: 1 AH (0)
Odd: 4.50
Bookie: Betsson SB
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