Arsenal vs Monaco prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-10 20:00.
[p]Arsenal and Monaco have much in common as both were previously managed by Arsène Wenger and both lost their sole appearance in a UEFA Champions League (UCL) final. There’s also little to choose between them now as they’re both on ten points in the UCL league phase with identical records (W3, D1, L1) ahead of their third ever European meeting (one win apiece).[/p]
[p]The home side on the day lost both of the previous H2Hs which could give the Gunners something to think about in the wake of a 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday, in which Arsenal missed the chance to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool, whose game was postponed. Mikel Arteta’s side are at least imperious at home in Europe having won six of their last seven UCL games here (D1), including victories ‘to nil’ over French clubs Lens (6-0) and Paris Saint-Germain (2-0).[/p]
[p]While only goal difference has Monaco behind Arsenal in the table, they’ve actually scored more times than their hosts (12 v 8) and prepared for this clash by beating Toulouse 2-0 on Saturday as they try to keep pace with Ligue 1 leaders PSG. They’ll have to park their domestic ambitions just now and focus on Europe, where they tend to fare well in cross-channel affairs, winning five of their last seven UCL games against English clubs (L2).[/p]
[p]The Monégasques won their only previous visit here 3-1 during the 2014/15 knockout stages, but that remains the last season in which they recorded consecutive away wins in the UCL main draw. That is their next target after beating Bologna 1-0 on the road on matchday four, but with that win breaking a sequence of eight winless UCL away games (D4, L4 – excluding qualifiers), Monaco have a lot to prove to show it wasn’t just a freak result.[/p]
[p]Key battle: Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has netted after half-time in their last two fixtures but could be busy at the back after there was a welcome return to the scoresheet for Monaco’s Breel Embolo on Saturday – three of his last four club goals were scored between the 35th minute and half-time. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: After matchday five, no team had scored more second-half goals than Monaco (eight) in this term’s UCL league phase.[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]