Champions League preview: Man Utd vs Copenhagen, Sevilla vs Arsenal
Man Utd vs Copenhagen
It was the late Sir Bobby Charlton who coined the “Theatre of Dreams” epithet for Old Trafford. And if this famed footballing stage has lost some lustre of late, perhaps the Manchester United players can pay worthy tribute to Charlton on Tuesday.
Let’s face it, United could do with a rousing performance to restore some pride. The Manchester side’s Champions League campaign is yet to ignite, the team sitting bottom of Group A – played two, lost two. Could a visit from Denmark’s finest heap more indignities on a United side that have been startlingly flat-footed at times this season?
The Lions held Galatasaray to a draw in their opening fixture – that’s the same Galatasaray that famously beat United at Old Trafford last time out.
Given Gala’s success, the Danish team may feel emboldened enough to go for it in Manchester. Copenhagen did take the lead against Bayern Munich in their last game, before the German giants fought back for a 2-1 win.
That said, Copenhagen have failed to win any of their last eight group stage matches. If United can’t claim victory on Tuesday, it really will be a dispiriting night for the Red Devils.
Rasmus Hojlund came through at FC Copenhagen, but the 20-year-old could come back to haunt his old club here. Hojlund has scored three goals in his two CL appearances for United so far, and it’s no surprise to see him well fancied to find the net this week.
Hojlund is 9/10 to score at any time; if you fancy a bigger price Diogo Goncalves may be the man for the big occasion. The Portuguese winger found the net against Gala last time out, and has seven goals already this season. Goncalves is 18/1 to score first…
Sevilla vs Arsenal
Arsenal might be performing pretty well in the Prem at the moment, but they hit a bum note against Lens in the Champions League last time.
The Gunners were turned over 2-1 by the French side at the start of the month. Now Mikel Arteta’s side have another potentially tricky away fixture.
True, Sevilla aren’t winning many at the moment; the Spanish side have just one win in their last seven games in all competitions. But Diego Alonso’s boys did draw their most recent La Liga game against Real Madrid, which is not without merit.
They’ve also drawn their two previous CL matches this season, and may look to do a similar job on the north London club this week. Sevilla held out against Man City in the UEFA Super Cup back in August, at least until City triumphed in the deciding penalty shootout.
Given Arsenal’s somewhat disappointing performance against Lens, it’s hardly unthinkable that the hosts can get something against the Gunners. And with five of Sevilla’s last seven games ending in deadlock, backing the draw at 14/5 certainly has some appeal.
Otherwise, chancing Youssef En-Nesyri to find the net could be a decent alternative. The Moroccan has three goals in his last four appearances for Sevilla, scoring against PSV Eindhoven in the CL last time out. He also scored against Man City in the Super Cup. En-Nesyri is 23/10 to score at any time.
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