Girona vs Arsenal prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-28 20:00.
[p]Girona conjured up some miracles to qualify for the UEFA Champions League (UCL) for the first time, but their superpowers have deserted them in the league phase (W1, L6). As a result, Michelās men only have pride to play for on matchday eight with their elimination already confirmed, but thereās plenty at stake for a squad under pressure after a run of three successive defeats across all competitions.[/p]
[p]That includes a 1-0 loss at AC Milan last week, while their last outing on home soil in this competition ended in defeat by the same scoreline against Liverpool. Liverpoolās Premier League rivals Arsenal are next up, with Girona looking to avoid the ignominy of becoming the first side from one of Europeās top-five leagues to record five successive UCL losses āto nilā![/p]
[p]As Arsenal are yet to concede from open play in this seasonās UCL, such history could well be made in Catalonia on Wednesday. The Gunners are all but assured of a top-eight finish and therefore automatic progression to the last 16 irrespective of the result here, but will be keen to extend their four-match unbeaten run since exiting the FA Cup earlier this month (W3, D1).[/p]
[p]A 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday was particularly pleasing for boss Mikel Arteta, who saw his side react well to a controversial red card to Myles Lewis-Skelly before the break. Similar solidity on the road would help Arsenal register back-to-back UCL away wins for the first time since December 2016, having thrashed Sporting CP 5-1 in their last such fixture.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: 12 of Abel Ruizās last 14 goals for any club came at his home venue, so heāll be in the right place to add his first UCL strike to his three La Liga ones this term. Arsenalās Kai Havertz has scored in his last three UCL matches – the last German to do so in four successive outings in this competition was Marco Reus in 2015.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Arsenal are unbeaten in eight successive away matches across all competitions, scoring 3+ goals on four occasions (W4), and netting exactly once in the other four matches (W1, D3).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]