Arsenal-Villarreal: Champions League Preview

Arsenal v. Villarreal

Wednesday, 15 April, 2009

Emirates Stadium

Kickoff: 19:45

Arsenal

Arsenal drew 1-1 with Villarreal away in the first leg of this Champions League fixture.

In their Champions League campaign this season, Arsenal have won four, drawn four, and lost two, scoring 13 goals and conceding seven in the process.

Arsenal have something of a defensive crisis, with William Gallas ruled out for the rest of the season and fellow defender Johan Djorou also missing out the match with a knee injury.

Villarreal

Villarreal's 1-1 draw at home with Arsenal means that the Spanish side have won three, drawn five, and lost one in their Champions League campaign so far this season, scoring 13 and conceding 10 goals in the process.

Whilst Arsenal's injury troubles are in their defence, Villarreal's are in midfield; Marcos Senna, who scored Villarreal's goal in the first leg, will miss out on this match with a hamstring problem, joining Santi Cazorla, who was ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken leg. Wingers Cani and Mati Fernandez are also doubtful.

Prediction

After scoring an important away goal and drawing the first leg 1-1, Arsenal will go into this match with a massive advantage. The Gunners are currently undefeated in their last 23 home matches in the Champions League, whilst Villarreal have won just once out of four on the road against an English side (against Everton in 2005).

With both teams suffering significant injury problems, the match could easily end up as a high-scoring affair. With Arsenal's defence missing key players, the Gunners will have to work hard not to concede, whilst their powerful midfield and attacking strength may prove too much for Villarreal to handle.

The home advantage will undoubtedly prove priceless for Arsenal, and the high-flying Gunners will go into this match as favourites to win and progress through to the semifinals of this season's Champions League.

Find the best betting guide for this match at our Arsenal vs. Villarreal preview page now.

Then read our Porto vs. Man Utd preview for the best bookmaker odds for that match!