The Premier League runners-up host the Greek Super League champions on matchday two of the UEFA Champions League. The Emirates Stadium will be packed to capacity, with millions more following the action live on TNT Sports. Who wins? Flashscore’s Frank Monkhouse offers his Arsenal vs Olympiakos predictions.
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Football fans and bettors enjoy another midweek of matches from the UEFA Champions League. Arsenal are back in the mix following an impressive 2-0 win over Athletic Club in Spain two weeks ago. Mikel Arteta's Gunners start in seventh place, but know another three points and a strong win would nudge them into a prominent position.
Olympiakos travel from Piraeus to London. They ended goalless in their first match, placing them in 21st of the 36 teams involved. A win in the UK capital certainly wouldn't guarantee them a spot in the knockout rounds, but it would prove Jose Luis Mendilibar's team can compete with the big names. The head-to-head stats at Flashscore show that Arsenal and Olympiakos have met a dozen times already, with each club winning six games.
Arsenal are the pre-match betting favourites with all major online bookmakers. Will they live up to expectations? Flashscore's football betting writer Frank Monkhouse studies the stats, compares the form, and highlights the most generous odds. Keep reading as he provides three picks sure to give followers a run for their money on the opening day of October.
Arsenal vs Olympiakos tips
Both teams to score @ 6/5 (bet365)
Arsenal win and both score @ 2/1 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Gunners aim for two wins
Arsenal is one of the hot betting favourites to progress from the league phase into the knockout stages. There's still a lot of football ahead of Arteta's side, but they made a winning start when beating Bilbao without too much fuss. Back-to-back wins and six points from a possible six would put the Londoners in a strong position. They have the character, experience, squad and firepower to make it happen.
Arsenal had to dig deep to score a Premier League win over Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday. They fell behind in that match, with a goal from Woltemade on the 34th minute putting the Magpies in control, and they held onto that advantage until the closing stages of the match. Mikel Merino finally got Arsenal level with 84 minutes on the clock. With the match heading towards a draw and a share of the spoils, there was further late drama. Gabriel Magalhaes got the decisive goal deep into stoppage time, ensuring Arsenal snatched a win from the jaws of defeat.
Sunday was just a little too close for comfort, but proved it's dangerous to write Arsenal off. The squad will keep pushing and fighting until the full-time whistle, and that'll be the case again in their return to action on Wednesday. I've seen enough from the locals to convince me they're worth sticking with this season. They won't get everything their way against a dangerous and ambitious opponent, but I'm picking Arsenal to win the match.
Tip: Arsenal win @ 2/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Arsenal beat Olympiakos, you'll get the rewards.
Stats support goals in London
Moving on to our second pick, we're looking for a bet with slightly higher odds that'll give backers a run for their money and enjoyment throughout the entire match. We're following the stats and backing both teams to score. You can follow that wager as a single bet or add it to your midweek multiples, boosting the possible returns. The final score and match-winner aren't important. As long as Arsenal and Olympiakos score one goal each, you win.
The same bet would've landed you a profit in two of the previous three games involving these teams. During that run, Olympiakos beat Arsenal 2-1 in London, and Arsenal won 3-1 in Greece. Looking at the home team's recent form in all competitions, both teams scored in two of Arsenal's last three: a 1-1 home draw with Manchester City and that battling 2-1 win over Newcastle last time. Olympiakos beat Levadiakos by the odd goal in five in Saturday's Greek Super League game.
It doesn't matter if both teams score in the opening exchanges or there's a late equaliser. As long as Arsenal and Olympiakos are amongst the goals, your bet wins. The stats and trends are strong, showing we're looking in the right places, the odds are useful, and the match seems poised to provide a few goals and even more talking points.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 6/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Arsenal and Olympiakos score at least one goal each, your bet wins.
Back Arsenal to out-score the Greeks
Our third and final pick in London combines both previous predictions for a selection at strong odds. Having tipped Arsenal to win and both teams to score, our final play is Arsenal and yes, in the match-winner and both teams to score market. This market requires you to predict not only which team will win the points, but also if their opponents will score.
Both score and Arsenal win was the best bet in that 2-1 at St James Park. With the home crowd out in force and driving their team forward, Arsenal are worth backing. But Olympiakos are no pushovers and will come to London intent on being competitive. They've scored four goals in their last three games against Arsenal.
Tip: Arsenal win and both score @ 2/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You want Olympiakos to score a goal, but Arsenal to win the match.
Arsenal vs Olympiakos odds
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.