Soccer Saturday trio Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas offer their views
Tuesday 17 March 2015 19:36, UK
We asked Soccer Saturday trio Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas what chances Arsenal and Manchester City had of overturning their respective first-leg deficits.
Arsenal need to score at least three goals in Monaco after slumping to a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates, while Manchester City travel to the Nou Camp looking to overturn Barcelona's 2-1 lead.
Can either side do it? The pundits discuss...
Le Tiss says...
"I’m expecting another glorious winning defeat for Arsenal. They showed how capable they are of creating chances against West Ham and that was ideal preparation. Arsenal have the quality and creativity to break down any defence, but I don’t think they’ll have enough to get three against an organised Monaco defence."
Le Tiss predicts: Arsenal to win 2-0, Monaco qualify (10/1 with Sky Bet)
Thommo says...
“As we’ve seen with Real Madrid and Chelsea, complacency can creep in and a good away result doesn’t always mean the job is done for sure. I’ve got a sneaky feeling Monaco could go into this game a bit complacent after catching Arsenal off-guard in the first leg.
"If they can really wobble them with a goal in the first 15 to 20 minutes then it could be one of the greatest European nights for Arsenal. They’re in great form and have responded really well to the first-leg defeat with some convincing wins in the Premier League. My head just says Arsenal will approach this game with an all-or-nothing attitude and they can pull it off if they do so."
Thommo predicts: Arsenal to win 3-0 and qualify (20/1 with Sky Bet)
Charlie says...
"Arsenal have started to play a lot better. There was a positive response to the Tottenham loss and the same to losing to Monaco, which really was an embarrassing defeat. There are a lot of players back competing places and there's a lovely competitive edge around the squad, which has driving them into a position where they’re just a point behind Manchester City.
"However, I’m backing them to win but not to qualify. Monaco’s defence is pretty damn impressive and, while Arsenal can take hope from the chances they did create in the first leg, I fear they'll fall just short.
Charlie predicts: Arsenal to win 2-1, Monaco qualify (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Le Tiss says...
"I think defeat at Burnley will have rocked them quite a bit and they really needed to go into this game on the back of a good performance. They needed to pick up some confidence but it was a pretty abject performance. I think Pellegrini might have learnt his lesson and will go five in midfield. I’ll be very surprised if they can go there and win and all arrows point towards Barca, but football is a funny old game.
Le Tiss predicts: Barcelona to qualify with a 2-1 win (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Thommo says...
“I don’t give City much of a chance, if I’m honest. They’re going from defeat at Turf Moor to defeat at the Nou Camp, in my opinion. Even if they score first, I can’t see them turning the tie around. Barcelona can crank it up if they have to and if they concede on the night they won’t panic. I think they’ll have far too much for City, who look so flat at the moment, so I’m going with 3-1 to Barcelona on the night with that man Messi to score first.”
Thommo predicts: Barcelona to qualify with a 3-1 win (9/1 with Sky Bet)
Charlie says...
"You’ve always got hope with quality players but Sergio Aguero has struggled with his fitness, while Edin Dzeko and Yaya Toure have been cold. Toure needs a lot of the ball and he’s not going to get that in Barcelona. He's going to be asked to be quite deep if Pellegrini perseveres with a 4-4-2 and will struggle to have an impact.
"Barca aren’t great defensively and you can definitely get at them and set-pieces with be vital. However, they’re on an up at the moment with Lionel Messi back on form and Luis Suarez improving. Vincent Kompany doesn’t like playing Suarez, he never has. City can try and go all-out attack but I don't see that materialising and it will be a foreign farewell for English clubs in the Champions League.
Charlie predicts: Barcelona to qualify with a 2-1 win (15/2 with Sky Bet)
