Arsenal v Dortmund: Spoils to be shared in North London

Can Arsene turn things around?

It's been a disappointing season for both Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund to date and Paul Robinson is taking them both to fail to win when they clash a the Emirates on Wednesday...

Arsenal v Dortmund
Wednesday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 1

The pressure is mounting on Arsene Wenger as another defeat to one of their main rivals at the weekend saw them drop to eighth in the Premier League. Defensive concerns have seemingly never been addressed and that has led to the Frenchman having to field Nacho Monreal at centre half.

The Gunners may still look good going forward, but they are too gung-ho, typified by the collapse in their last Champions League game against Anderlecht. A win would have made this match a battle for top spot in Group D, but after blowing a 3-0 lead, The North Londoners still need potentially two points to qualify, and their chances of finishing first all but over.

Things haven't been much better for Dortmund as while they have won four from four in this competition, The Germans are floundering in 16th position in the Bundesliga. To make matters worse, star man, Marco Reus picked up an injury in Saturday's draw at Paderborn that has ruled him out until 2015.

That is a huge blow for Jurgen Klopp and without the services of Robert Lewandowski, BVB are going to struggle for goals. Ciro Immobile has only netted half a dozen in all competitions so far this term and while they have racked up 13 in four Champions League games to date, I can't see them getting too many at The Emirates.

Match Odds
Arsenal 2.56/4 Dortmund 3.1511/5 The Draw 3.55/2

With both teams low on confidence, I quite like the draw at the prices. That would secure top spot for the visitors and would probably be good enough to see Arsenal through in the end. 

A defeat would be damaging for the pair of them as far as player confidence and fan morale goes, so I wouldn't be too surprised if we don't see end to end action if the game is level going into the final stages.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Over 2.5 Goals 1.738/11 Under 2.5 Goals 2.3411/8

The clear favourite is over 2.5 goals and nearly all the stats are pointing that way. I have my reservations though and would rather back unders than overs at the prices. That's if I were forced to have a bet though and I think there is better value elsewhere.

Correct Score        

Given all I've said above, it will come as no surprise that I quite like the look of 1-1 in this market. It's currently trading at around the 8.07/1 market and that seems a point or two big to me. 

Dortmund have won just three of their last eight on the road and Arsenal have won only two of eight at home. Four of those were score draws for The Gunners and they've kept just one clean sheet at The Emirates since August.

Cash Out   

The best cash out opportunity could lie in the Half Time/Full Time market as Draw/Draw is available to back at 6.411/2. There shouldn't be much between these two sides so if we can get them in level at the break, that 6.411/2 should be trading a lot shorter, giving us the option to lock in a profit in case things go awry in the second half.

Recommended Bets
Back The Draw @ 3.55/2 (1pt)
Back a 1-1 Correct Score @ 8.07/1 (1pt)

Best Cash Out
Back Draw/Draw in the Half Time/Full Time Market @ 6.411/2