Barcelona - Arsenal 6 April 2010

*matches in all competitions

Barcelona last 5 matches:  

Barcelona last 3 home matches: 

Arsenal last 5 matches: 

Arsenal last 3 away matches:

The first leg of this clash surely left us wanting more and with a 2-2 aggregate scoreline miracles are still possible on Camp Now this Tuesday.

Barcelona dominated the first match with a crushing possession especially in the first half but failed to win the game as the last minutes caught them defending and trying to keep the ball as far away from they goalie as possible.

They are clear favorites to win this match and advance to the next phase of the competition especially with 2 goals scored away and this season’s performances on their home ground.

Arsenal pulled a very satisfying result especially when appreciating how the match hard but they have their work cut out as a victory on Barcelona’s ground will be very hard to achieve.

The team still shows some weakness in they away play in the Premier League and this match will be the first in 3 consecutive ones played whilst traveling, a schedule which can cause some discomfort for the Gunners.

My tip:  Barcelona to win

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Arsenal – Barcelona 31 March 2010

*matches in all competitions

Arsenal last 5 matches:  

Arsenal last 3 home matches: 

Barcelona last 5 matches: 

Barcelona last 3 away matches:

The Champions League is closing down to the big final with only top teams battling out in this stage as the case here where current champions Barcelona will travel to Arsenal for a match that announces itself as very spectacular.

Arsenal, with the third spot of the Premier League secured is trying the impossible in a championship battle against giants Chelsea and Manchester United, showing a great form with very good results lately in all competitions.

In the previous round of the competition they had a very though time in the first leg against FC Porto but recovered in time for the return to thrash the Portuguese side 5-0.

Only Birmingham managed last week to put an end to a superb 6 match winning streak with a one all draw but Champions League is a different matter and a match on home ground is very important for the overall outcome of the campaign.

Only on the second spot in the Spanish Primera Division due to Real’s better goal ratio, Barcelona is showing as well a fine form making me to believe that this match will be a real show especially as both teams have a great appetite for scoring goals and pushing on the offense.

A very similar situation for Barcelona in the previous phase of the tournament, after being held to a 1-1 draw by Stuttgart, the Catalan side got it’s revenge and marched over the Germans 4-0 at the final whistle.

My tip:  Barcelona to win (over 2.5 goals)

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Arsenal – FC Porto 9 March 2010

*matches in all competitions

Arsenal last 5 matches:  

Arsenal last 3 home matches:

Porto last 5 matches: 

Porto last 3 away matches: 

Second leg in this phase of the knock outs in the Champions League and Arsenal welcome FC Porto in their attempt to surpass a one goal deficit and make it to the next round.

A very close match in the first leg with FC Porto winning 2-1 in front of the home crowd but now things look very different as Arsenal is winning match after match in the English Premier League and sitting joust 2 points from leaders Manchester Unite and a Porto team that is having real difficulties in it’s domestic league with no chances for a championship title.

Arsenal is showing a superb form and with a total of 51 points their share the second spot of the Premier League with Chelsea ready to make a real surprise and aim for the first spot until the end of the season. The first leg results also favor the English side as the away goal could make a world of a difference but one threat for them comes from the growing list of injured players like Fabregas and Van Persie joust to name the top 2.

As expected FC Porto played a very good match in the first leg and managed the victory, but with joust 2-1 advantage their task is very hard on Arsenal’s pitch.

They are struggling in the Portuguese Liga having lost the derby match against Sporting Lisbon with an embarrassing 3-0 and last week managing only a draw against bottom side Olhanense.

My tip:  Arsenal to win (and qualify)

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*matches in all competitions

Porto last 5 matches:  

Porto last 3 home matches: 

Arsenal last 5 matches: 

Arsenal last 3 away matches:

The second match on Wednesday in the Champions League and Arsenal will have a very difficult task away to FC Porto as the team encountered a loss in form recently.

FC Porto may seem like a candidate to win this first leg but even with this the decisive match will be played in London and qualifying to the next phase will take all their concentration and determination.

Porto managed to improve on their situation recently in the Portuguese Super Liga with 3 victories in the last 5 matches played and are now on the third spot of the table, still a long way from the driver’s seat with a gap of 9 points from leaders Benfica and 8 from second Braga. They lost ground last week as they ended in a goalless draw their trip to Leixoes.

With their 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the weekend, Arsenal managed to put an end to 4 matches without victory, 3 of tows in the Premier League and one in the FA cup witch marked their exit from the competition.

Only theoretical chances for them in the fight for the Premier league title as they sit 6 points from leaders Chelsea and 5 from Manchester United. In this match they have a great handicap missing out important players as R. van Persie and A. Arshavin.

My tip:  FC Porto to win

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