Champions League Wednesday

Champions League newcomers Anorthosis strolled to a 3-1 home win over Panathinaikos as Tom Allen proved once again that it’s often best to look beneath the surface for the big value in football betting.

Some really tricky looking ties on Wednesday in the Champions League but my attention is drawn to the least high profile of the lot. Anorthosis, making their debut in this competition, host Panathinaikos and I think the Cypriots are capable of emerging with at least a share of the spoils.

Anorthosis have been knocking on the door of the Champions League group stages in recent seasons but it was still somewhat of a shock when they got the better of a talented Olympiakos side in final qualifying to book their place amongst Europe’s elite.

Temuri Ketsbaia, the former Newcastle midfielder, is in charge at Anorthosis and his team proved that disposing of the Greek Champions was no fluke when they held Werder Bremen to a goalless draw in Germany last week on their Champions League bow. That was a surprise, the Bundesliga outfit are among the most free-scoring in Europe, but they are bound to have taken massive confidence from the result and should have nothing to fear against Panathinaikos on home soil.

Having backed Jose Mourinho’s Inter to return from Athens with three points in their clash two weeks I ago I was relieved when Adriano sealed the victory in the 85th minute. Panathinaikos had threatened throughout but failed to take any number of chances and that defeat now puts them under pressure.

While it is easy to get carried away with a couple of isolated results, further substance is provided to the argument if we take a look at the relative strength of the Cypriot league, Amonia and Apoel have performed with credit in the Uefa Cup, and Anorthosis’ recent form in comparison to their opponents’. It’s four from four for the hosts so far this term while the visitors have already been beaten on their travels. In fact, Anorthosis went their entire league campaign unbeaten last season and seemingly don’t know how to lose at present.

At the prices, I am more than happy to be laying the visitors and the chief goal threat for Anorthosis should be Polish striker Lukasz Sosin. He ended last season with 16 goals in the top flight, the fourth time Sosin has finished as leading scorer in Cyprus, and a home win would be no shock. They do like to keep things tight however, Ketsbaia has Anorthosis well organised, and I’d prefer to also have the draw in our favour than hoping the hosts can burgle all three points.