Tonight marks one of the most highly anticipated UEFA Champions matchdays in recent history, with Arsenal travelling to Germany to face off with Bayern Munich and Manchester City making the trip to Madrid to face La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Arsenal welcomed Bayern to The Emirates last week in an enthralling match, which ended in a 2-2 draw steeped in controversy. Manchester City and Real Madrid also came out of their match honours even, with six stunning goals scored in the first leg.
We spoke to Bet9ja Ambassador Victor Ikpeba, who gave us his thoughts and predictions on what promises to be a riveting evening of football.
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Arsenal face an uphill battle!
Last week Arsenal started and finished the match well, but in-between showed their inexperience. They failed to defend Bayern’s transitions well and paid for it – it was a timely reminder that the best players in the world will punish every error you make at this level.
They enjoyed more territory than Bayern, but found it hard to break the Germans down once they sat back in their defensive block. There’s a theory that Arsenal could find more luck offensively in this leg due to the hosts’ willingness to get forward at home, but Mikel Arteta will know that his side missed a really big opportunity last week.
There will be goals in this one. Arsenal’s defence hasn’t looked quite as secure in the last week or so, and Bayern will have the bit between their teeth after losing their Bundesliga title for the first time since 2012. I predict a 2-1 Bayern win. Sorry, Arsenal fans!
Victor’s booking code: 6HGDLDP
Manchester City are in their most confident moment of the season
After returning to the top of the English Premier League this weekend, Manchester City are presented with a very real possibility of a double-treble if they can get past Real Madrid tonight.
This is a repeat of their semi-final fixture last season, where City came out all guns blazing to blow the Spanish giants away in dominant fashion. Both sides have incredible quality at both ends of the field, but I just can’t see City losing this one.
The Etihad can be a tough place to play due to how well City control possession and suffocate teams with their high-press, but we know that Madrid have some star men in their ranks who will be able to create and take opportunities if they are handed them.
I see a 3-1 victory for Manchester City here!
Victor’s booking code: 6HGDZDB
