Champions League Preview 1st October – Liverpool and Arsenal Seek First Wins

Liverpool limped over the line in their Champions League opener earlier this month, while Arsenal didn’t fare too well at all upon their trip to Germany.

Round two could be just as challenging for the English duo as Liverpool have a difficult away game on Wednesday, while Arsenal have suffered a lot of injuries to their squad ahead of a must-win clash this week.

So who will the Premier League pair be facing?

FC Basel vs Liverpool (Group B)

When? Wednesday 1^st October

Where? St. Jakob-Park

What time? 19:45

Liverpool struggled past PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in their Champions League opener, but the three points will prove vital in such a difficult group.

Swiss champions FC Basel, who have won five consecutive titles, will be stiff competition for the Merseyside outfit on Wednesday, as Paulo Sousa’s side have an incredible record against Premier League opposition.

Last season, Basel took six points off Chelsea in the group stages, they saw past Tottenham Hotspur over two legs in 2012/13 Europa League quarter-final, and in 2011/12, they took four points off Manchester United in the Champions League group stages.

Wednesday’s clash has the potential to be a real banana skin for Liverpool, and with a double header to come against Real Madrid (22^nd October & 4^th November), the Reds can ill afford to lose this one. They aren’t in good form either. Brendan Rodgers’ men recently drew 1-1 to Everton in the league, and so far this season they are 13^th in the table, with seven points from a possible 21, while having lost three games already.

FC Basel v Liverpool betting

Liverpool are a best price of 2.2 at BetVictor to take all 3 points, but they are not in the best of form at present. Swiss outfit Basel are an experienced Champions League side and will be ready for them.

Basel have only lost 4 home league games in the last 2 and a half years. As mentioned above, they make it easy for nobody, and maybe bookies have underestimated them. At 3.75 for the win with Stan James it could be a bit of value.

Arsenal vs. Galatasaray

 When? Wednesday 1^st October

Where? Emirates Stadium

What time? 19:45

Despite their unbeaten start in the Premier League, Arsenal have looked far from invincible and will be hoping they can finally hit some form in the Champions League this week.

The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by Borussia Dortmund in their opening Champions League group game, and have since lost at home to Southampton in the Capital One Cup, while picking up just a point at home to Tottenham in the league most recently.

Arsene Wenger’s injury-hit side will be somewhat confident of getting a result when Galatasaray come to town Wednesday night, however, as the Turkish Super Lig side have a woeful away record in Europe.

Now managed by Cesare Prandelli, Gala have only won three of their last ten away games in the Champions League, with none of them coming last season. They drew at home to Group D whipping boys Anderlecht earlier this month too.

Arsenal have a number of key players likely to miss the European bout through injury, but Wenger will still have a strong enough team to face the travel-sick Turks.

Arsenal v Galatasaray betting

Arsenal are biggest odds of 1.57 at Betfred for the win tonight, and win is what we think they’ll do. Galatasaray aren’t great travellers, have looked a little blunt so far this term, and added to the fact that Arsenal are desperate to earn their first points of the Champions League campaign we can only see a home win.