Champions League Group H: AZ Alkmaar vs. Standard de Liege

AZ Alkmaar are having all sorts of problems right now on all fronts and they are desperate to take something away from this match after missing their chance in their opener against Olympiakos. Meanwhile, Standard de Liege will have to recover from the fiasco they made of their match against Arsenal in their UEFA Champions League Group H opener when they squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3:2.

Both the Dutch and Belgian are currently pointless in group H and they will be looking to get on the board by the end of the second cycle of Champions League action. Will one side take maximum points or will they end up sharing in the spoils?

Soccer Betting Line:

AZ Alkmaar -½ -105 -105 2½ O -115 U -105 1½ O -105 U -125 Draw +230

Standard Liege +½ -115 +300 2½ O -115 U -105 1 O -105 U -125 Draw +230

Match Time: 02:45 P.M. Eastern Time Tuesday September 29 2009

Venue: DSB-Stadium - Alkmaar - Netherlands

Soccer Betting Verdict: AZ Alkmaar are winless in all competitions and take a five-match losing streak into this all-important clash. Their poor run of form does not reassure sports bettors at all; yet, in spite of their questionable form, the bookies like their chances to win this match, tipping them as the favourites to win outright at -105. I am not sure they deserve to be so favoured because they seem to be in a bit of a slump and there are no signs the crisis is over.

Standard de Liege, on the other hand, are undefeated this season in Belgian League 1 and currently are third in the table. Standard have hauled 4-5-0 mark in nine cycles. One of their strengths is their free-scoring style of play. In nine cycles, they have scored 19 goals. However, there is a price for such an attacking style and that is it exposes them to the counter attack as evinced by the 8 goals against in nine cycles. Nevertheless, I really like Standard de Liege chances in this match and at +300 odds they are a steal in my opinion. Naturally, taking the Over 2 ½ -115 for combined goals and Over 1 -105 for Standard de Liege are good plays as well.

Soccer Free Picks: Standard de Liege +300| Over 1 -105 and Combined Team Overs 2 ½ -115