Montpellier v Arsenal Tip

Sometimes there’s no need to get clever with a betting angle when the odds on the superior team winning are better than expected. Arsenal provide an unlikely piece of value at best odds of 5/4 (Bet365) against Champions League newcomers Montpellier.

It’s not just that the French side are novices at this level, they are also woefully out of form. Last season’s surprise Ligue 1 champions have opened their title defence with just one win and three losses in their first five league matches. The recent 3-1 defeat at Reims was perhaps the worst moment yet and prompted boss Rene Girard to speak out.

He said: “I’m not in the habit of accusing my players but what’s happening at the moment is pitiful. We’re conceding goals like a junior team. It’s quite worrying.”

Hardly words to restore confidence. It would seem that the last thing Montpellier now need is a visit from a Gunners outfit who put six past Southampton at the weekend and won at Anfield prior to that.

Wenger’s Arsenal are always skilful negotiators of the group stages and have never lost in France over nine matches. Indeed, the last three trips have all ended in 1-0 victories for the Londoners.

They ought to be odds-on for three points on Tuesday, so we should take advantage given that they’re not.