Group H Preview (Nov. 4)
Arsenal vs AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar have made the short trip to London to take on Arsenal looking to build on their surprise 1-1 draw out in Holland last time out. A furious Arsene Wenger will be out to tighten up his leaky defence and see the job done in a week where he spoke about his desire to win the Champions League trophy.
Arsenal have been superb in the CL this term but after AZ grabbed that last-ditch draw, the Group has been thrown wide open with Olympiacos just a point behind. The Gunners have it all in their own hands though and three points against Roland Koeman’s side should see them home.
Koeman’s excellent record over Wenger continued on his own turf but as the Dutchman travels to London, Wenger will be looking for revenge. Mounir El Hamdaoui will be missing after injury and that will extinguish one of their main threats. The former Spurs forward was replaced by Jeremain Lens at the weekend and after he bagged the winning goal, he’ll be expected to replace the Moroccan.
Player to watch:
Fabregas scored a stunner at the weekend.
Prediction:
AZ will be a different team away from home. They’ll put men behind the ball and try and stifle Arsenal but the Gunners have experience of this and should break them down. Robin van Persie is a man on fire and he should deliver the knock out blows.
Arsenal 3-0 AZ Alkmaar
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Standard Liege vs Olympiacos
Standard de Liège are aiming for Europa League football after their poor start to Group H put them out of the running for finishing in one of those top two places. Standing in their way is Greek outfit Olympiacos who are looking to keep the pressure up on Arsenal and book their place in the promised land of the knock out stages.
Standard coach László Bölöni has challenged his illness hit squad to improve of their tidy football and finish a game off after they played well but failed to find the net against Olympiacos in the last fixture. Alex Witsel’s return after an 8 game ban failed to boost them sufficiently and with goals drying up, Bölöni’s rallying cry will need to have gone down well.
Olympiacos sense they can catch Arsenal at the top so will no doubt maintain pressure by taking another three points. Seven regulars are missing including Diogo and Matty Derbyshire – the men charged with getting the goals. Whether they can continue their hunt for points without their main men is another question.
Player to watch:
Forward Igor De Camago is back after a broken toe and after already finding the way to goal in this competition, Standards frontman could be a game changer. How match fit and sharp he is after the injury, that is something which time will tell but if on form he should be in the goals.
Match Prediction:
Struggling Standard will fail to keep out Olmypiacos who are poor in front of goal. The Greeks are looking tired and need to improve if they are to keep chasing the Gunners at the top.
Standard 1-1 Olympiacos
J. Sanderson
