The Big Wednesday Multiple: A Champions League Special

Javier Saviola is only 30 but it feels like he's been around for years

It's that time of the week for the big Wednesday multiple as Paul Robinson selects a home win, an away win, a match to go over 2.5 goals and a match to go under 2.5 goals. Here are his selections:

Bet 1: Arsenal (HOME) @ 1.36 (4/11)

Arsenal take on Montpellier in their final home group game of the Champions League and I can see them getting the win they so badly need.

Arsene Wenger's side were looking pretty comfortable after opening up with a pair of victories, but things aren't looking quite so secure after they picked up just a single point from their two matches with Schalke. They will be boosted by the 5-2 hammering of 10 man Spurs at the weekend though and while Theo Walcott has been ruled out with a shoulder injury, former Montpellier man, Olivier Giroud, has begun to show his form in English football.

The reigning French champions have been a shadow of their former selves this year and they are as low as 14th in Ligue One and bottom of their UCL group with no chance of progress. Obviously they've missed Giroud's goals, but there's more to their slump than that and with just four victories in all competitions so far this season, there has to be some questions asked about both the manager and the players.

Bet 2: Dortmund (AWAY) @ 1.75 (3/4)

Dortmund travel to Amsterdam knowing that a point will see them qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League, however they will be well aware that a win will put them in a great spot to possibly top the group, and avoid the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United in the next round.

The German's have been in imperious form in Europe this term, winning their two home fixtures and drawing away at the mighty Real Madrid and Man City. The performance at the Etihad was arguably the best they've played all season and it took a combination of Joe Hart and a late Mario Balotelli penalty to deny them the full three points.

When the draw was made, Ajax were labelled as the whipping boys of this group, but they've managed to nick four points, albeit they were at the expense of the mightily disappointing English champions. Frank de Boer's men were hammered 4-1 by Madrid at the Amsterdam Arena and they've won just two of their last five in all competitions at home, losing two of them.

Bet 3: Man City v Real Madrid (Over 2.5 goals) @  1.57 (4/7)

It's do or die time for Roberto Mancini and anything other than a win tonight is not good enough. Unfortunately for the Italian, Jose Mourinho's Spanish champions are in town.

There have been thousands of words written already about City's failures in Europe in the last 18 months, but at the end of the day, they've just not been good enough. They have had tough draws, however, tactically, they've been unbelievably nave and they've shipped far too many goals.

Real Madrid suffered a disappointing defeat to Dortmund which has left them only second in the group and they will be desperate to secure a victory to put the pressure on them at the top. Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester and I can see him wanting to put on a show back in England.

The statistics and the nature of the game all point to goals, so it would seem wise to follow the trends and include this match as our over 2.5 leg at a very fair price.

Bet 4: Zenit St Petersburg v Malaga (Under 2.5 goals) @ 1.85 (17/20)  

This is the evening's early kick off but I wouldn't worry too much if you're not back from work to watch it as I can see it being a bit of a low scoring snoozefest.

Zenit are bottom of the group which is somewhat of a surprise given the money they've spent. The Russian's have managed just a single victory in the group so far, a 1-0 win over Anderlecht, and they lost the other three. They've managed just three goals in that period, firing two blanks, and four of their last six at home in all competitions have had three goals or less.

Malaga have been the surprise package of the tournament so far and they need just a point from this fixture to secure first place in the group with a game to spare. The Spaniards have conceded only one goal in their four matches to date and eight of their last 11 on the road have gone under 2.5 goals.

Recommended Multiple
Back Arsenal @ 1.36 (4/11); Back Dortmund @ 1.75 (3/4); Back Over 2.5 Goals in Man City v Real Madrid @ 1.57 (4/7); Back Under 2.5 Goals in Zenit St Petersburg v Malaga @ 1.85 (17/20); The Multiple pays approximately 6.94 (6/1)

Multiple prices are based on our Fixed Odds product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.

2012 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 26 pts
Returned: 27.69 pts
P/L + 1.69 pts