Champions League preview: Lens vs Arsenal, Man Utd vs Galatasaray
Lens vs Arsenal
Arsenal remain unbeaten in all competitions this season. Their opposition this week, Lens, have won just two games – though more positively, those wins have come in their last two Ligue 1 games.
In Lens’ opening Champions League game of the campaign, Franck Haise’s team held out to Sevilla for a point in Spain. Can the Frenchman keep Arsenal at bay on Tuesday night at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis?
This is Lens’ first appearance in the Champions League since the 2002/03 season. On that occasion they failed to make it out of the group stage.
But this current Lens side impressed domestically last season, beating the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille in their way to a runner-up finish in the French top flight.
In fact, Lens finished just a point behind Paris in the league table. The club may have been less convincing so far this season, but perhaps they’re coming good at the right time.
As for their opponents, the Gunners’ first CL appearance of the campaign was emphatic, a 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven. And Arsenal have been in decent all-round form too, winning 4-0 against Bournemouth in the Prem this weekend.
Arsenal are clear favourites, then. But perhaps Lens can at least put up some kind of a fight on home turf. Despite having been used mainly as a substitute, Morgan Guilavogui has contributed a couple of goals for the French side, one against PSG.
Perhaps Guilavogui could rise to the occasion here – though who knows how much time he’ll get. If you’re willing to gamble, he’s 4/1 to score on Tuesday.
Otherwise, you could back Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka to find the net. He is 31/20 to get on the scoresheet, and remains Arsenal’s most dangerous goal threat; the young England striker already has five goals this season, three in his last three appearances.
Man Utd vs Galatasaray
Plenty of rumblings of discontent from Man Utd fans this season; can a visit from the Turkish champions add to Erik ten Hag’s woes?
United’s first CL game of the season ended 4-3, hosts Bayern Munich taking the victory. But that scoreline was flattering to the visitors, Casemiro’s late brace suggesting a competitiveness that seemed absent for much of the night.
Even with United not bringing their A game right now, you’d expect them to win this game, though. The Manchester team are heavy favourites, facing opponents who haven’t ever won in England.
For all that, the Istanbul club are unbeaten this season; could they possibly take advantage of United’s current sloppiness? Ten Hag’s side have already lost five games in all competitions this season, most recently this weekend against Crystal Palace.
Speaking of which – could a former Eagle come back to haunt the hosts here? Wilfried Zaha’s time at Man United was undistinguished, but the 30-year-old signed for Gala in the summer – and on Saturday, he found the net for his new side for the first time.
Zaha is 24/5 to find the net on Tuesday. But even if Gala can score United will surely be motivated enough to put in a decent showing in this competition at Old Trafford. Maybe goals is the best bet here – and over 3.5 is available at 5/4.
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