Champions League: Arsenal v Liverpool, Fenerbahce v Chelsea and odds

Champions League: Arsenal v Liverpool, Fenerbahce v Chelsea and odds On Wednesday night is the first leg of the remaining two UEFA Champions League quarterfinal games, the matches Arsenal vs. Liverpool and Fenerbahce vs. Chelsea. We have found the best betting odds offered on these two Champions League games at the British bookmakers, as well as some info on the injuries and team condition. And as usual, the U.K. licensed online bookmaker Bet365 (official website) offers the best odds on the UEFA Champions League with good payouts no matter the winner of the first leg matches today. Last night both favorites won their games (Manchester Utd and Barcelona) and today the bettors can expect the same good odds from the rest of the quarterfinal games.

Starting with the English derby, the game between Arsenal and Liverpool. Interesting to note here is the fact that on Wednesday is the first of three games in a week these two teams will meet, all of the games considered a must-win for Arsenal. At Bet365 the Gunners are listed as the favorite team to win the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, holding odds 2.25 for a victory, while Liverpool is sitting on odds to win the first UEFA Champions League game at 3.60, with 3.00 for a draw. Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is set to start in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg and so is midfielder Abou Diaby, whose suspension Saturday does not apply to European football. At Liverpool, midfielder Javier Mascherano is allowed to return after a one-game suspension, along with defenders Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio, both recovered from previous injuries. Hard to predict game, considering the fact that Arsenal and Liverpool have never met before in European competition, but most experts give this game to Arsenal or a draw.

The final Champions League first leg quarterfinal game is the match between Fenerbahce and Chelsea. This will be the first meeting between Fenerbahce and Chelsea in European competition, but the British bookmaker Bet365 has already made Chelsea the big favorite listed with odds 2.10 to win the Wednesday's game. Fenerbahce is big underdog with odds 4.00 and the coefficient for a draw is 3.10 (). The Turks have won their last five European home matches and are undefeated in 11 at home, but reached the Champions League quarterfinals after a penalty shoot-out win against Sevilla. Roberto Carlos is back in Fenerbahce's squad after an injury, but will likely sit out the first leg against Chelsea. Meanwhile Frank Lampard is back with Chelsea and Didier Drogba is reported to be in condition to play in the first leg quarterfinal. Unfortunately for the Blues fans, goalkeeper Petr Cech is still out with an ankle injury. Most experts pick a draw for the first leg of this Champions League quarterfinal game.

Published on 04/02/2008