Previews

Holders test Arsenal's mettle

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 31/03/2010
Football betting

Arsenal and Barcelona are preparing to clash in London on Wednesday evening in the pick of this season's Champions League quarter-final first leg fixtures.

Two sides renowned for fast and free-flowing football go head-to-head at the Emirates Stadium and it promises to be a feast of the beautiful game.

Both clubs have been in exceptional form recently, with Arsene Wenger's men rattling up six successive wins in all competition prior to their 1-1 Premier League draw at Birmingham City over the weekend.

Barca have chalked five successes consecutively, notching 14 times in the process.

The hosts have a number of injury problems ahead of the contest with Kieran Gibbs (broken foot), Aaron Ramsey (broken leg), William Gallas (calf), Robin Van Persie (ankle) and Johan Djourou (knee) all missing out.

Wenger has also confirmed that Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby are both fitness doubts for their mouthwatering test.

The Spanish giants will be rueing the injury to maestro midfielder Andres Iniesta.

A small tear in his right femoral biceps muscle was detected after their 1-0 La Liga victory at Mallorca on Saturday evening.

The clash will mark a return to Arsenal for Gunners legend Thierry Henry, who now plies his trade with the Catalan club and he has made it clear it was a draw he would have preferred to have avoided.

"I am very emotional, but also keeping calm. It will be a strange game for me. Before the draw I said that I did not want to meet Arsenal. That was my wish. But now it is what we have been given and we will have to be at our best," he said.

Arsenal will be out to gain revenge after losing to the Nou Camp side in the 2006 final at Stade de France, Paris.

Will Arsenal grab a Champions League quarter-final first-leg advantage against Barcelona on Tuesday evening? - Latest Football Betting

Sol Campbell opened the scoring for Arsenal after goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was dismissed in the opening stages.

However, Samuel Eto'o restored parity with 15 minutes returning and just five minutes later, marauding full-back Juliano Belletti stormed forward to smash home the winner.

In the second clash of the night, Internazionale take on surprise package CSKA Moscow at San Siro.

The Italians defeated Chelsea in the previous round while CSKA overwhelmed Seville.

Jose Mourinho's men will be seeking a comfortable first-leg lead and they are the online sportsbook favourites to take the advantage ahead of the return in Russia.

But following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Serie A rivals Roma at the weekend, they may be hurting from their damaging setback and the plucky visitors will be seeking to inflict further pain.

With Milos Krasic, Alan Dzagoev in fine goal scoring form and Tomas Necid creating plenty of chances, Inter must avoid complacency on Wednesday if they are to avoid an embarrassment.

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