Football Betting: Arsenal To Meet Barcelona?

Champions League draw attracts interest in sports betting market

Bookmakers are accepting bets on Arsenal playing one of the giants of European football in the next round of the Champions League.

The north London side finished as runners-up in Group G following last night's 2-0 defeat to Porto, meaning they could face a group winner such as Barcelona, Juventus or Bayern Munich when the last-16 draw is made next Friday (December 19th).

William Hill offers 4/1 on Arsenal meeting Barcelona – favourites to win the Champions League at 4/1 - in the first round of the knockout stages.

With Manchester United and Liverpool both topping their groups this week and Chelsea also through to the last 16, the betting firm prices an all-English Champions League final at 10/3.

At Ladbrokes, Chelsea and Manchester United are 5/1 to win the competition, while Liverpool can be backed at 10/1 and Arsenal are priced at 14/1.

United were held to a 2-2 draw by Danish outfit Aalborg at Old Trafford last night, but still managed to win Group E after Villarreal lost 2-0 to Celtic.