Arsenal's Champions League clash with Barca is one for the sadists - not purists

By Derek McGovern in Betting Blog

Published 22:30 19/03/10

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You've got to think Barcelona won't be happy drawing Arsenal in the Champions League - they'll be absolutely ecstatic.

The quarter-final match-up throws up the intriguing prospect of Thierry Henry's return to the Emirates, and a Barcelona v Inter Milan semi-final.

Some are saying it's a game for the purists; the more enlightened reckon it's one for the sadists.

Barca's dangerman is Lionel Messi; his Arsenal counterpart is Nicklas Bendtner. No wonder bookies have Barca as short as 1-3 to go through, though they stipulate you can have only 1-10 if Sol Campbell lines up for Arsenal.

Barcelona target Cesc Fabregas is 8-1 with Boylesports to score and kiss the badge, though it's not clear which badge they mean.

Manchester United have been drawn against Bayern Munich - and the latest spread for how many times ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley mentions "that night in Barcelona" in the space of 90 minutes is 102-104 - it's roughly the same spread for minutes of stoppage time in the Old Trafford leg if United are behind.

Arsenal have been pushed out from 7-1 to 10-1 by Ladbrokes for Champions League glory and I know what you're thinking: the zero key on my computer must be on the blink. United stay on the 3-1 mark, with Barca 7-4 favourites.

The Champions League draw raises the possibility that Liverpool, laughing stocks for much of the season, will be the last English team in Europe this term.

The Mersey men are 7-2 favourites for the Europa League after being drawn against Benfica in the last eight.

Manager Rafa Benitez spent so much time during Thursday's win over Lille with pen in hand that he can only have been writing out his Cheltenham bets.

Champions League - to qualify (Hills): 13-8 B Munich v 4-9 Man Utd; 2-5 Barcelona v 7-4 Arsenal; 2-7 Inter v 5-2 CSKA; 8-11 Lyon v Evs Bordeaux.

To win it: 2-1 Barca, 3-1 Man U, 10-3 Inter, 9-1 Arsenal, 12-1 Bayern, 14 Lyon, 16 Bordeaux, 33 CSKA.

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