Will the Wolves clinch a place in the semi-finals?
VfL Wolfsburg already won the Women’s Champions League in 2013 and 2014. The Wolves would very much like to repeat this spectacular triumph in the current season, but the competition has become much stronger compared to that time. In particular, clubs from France, Spain and England have outstripped many Bundesliga teams in the past.
Despite this, Wolfsburg are favourites against Arsenal according to the odds ahead of the women’s quarter-final second leg on Thursday evening. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, coach Tommy Stroot’s charges can book their semi-final ticket with a win in front of their home crowd. An interesting 2.05 is currently on offer for a home win after regular time, which we will take a closer look at below.
An important aspect that should not be neglected with regard to the Wolfsburg vs. Arsenal prediction is the fact that the match takes place in the men’s living room, the Volkswagen Arena. A five-figure crowd is expected, which will primarily be rooting for VfL. The backdrop can therefore have a positive effect on the chances of the Green-Whites, especially in view of the fact that Alex Popp and Co. already set the tone for long stretches in the first leg a week ago.
Wolfsburg – Statistics & current form
VfL Wolfsburg continues to be one of the great figureheads of German women’s football. Six national championships, eight DFB Cup triumphs and the aforementioned two UEFA Champions League titles adorn the letterhead of the Lower Saxons, who have also reached the final of the most important international club competition three other times.
At the moment, it has to be said that the Green-Whites are really back in the flow after a titleless year in 2021, in which they only finished runners-up behind FC Bayern and also had to pull out of the top flight at the quarter-final stage.
The Green-Whites are back in the flow after a titleless year in 2021, in which they only finished runners-up behind FC Bayern and also had to pull out of the top flight at the quarter-final stage.
The Wolves have the momentum on their side
The Wolves have not lost 14 competitive matches. In the DFB Pokal, they made it to the final round and in the Bundesliga, they are one point ahead of FC Bayern at the top of the table after 18 of 22 matchdays.
Recently, Stroot’s team has been in impressive form, defeating their direct rivals Hoffenheim (3:0) and Frankfurt (4:1) in a very commanding manner and, after seven consecutive league victories, they will go into the potentially decisive top match against the Munich team next weekend with a good chance of winning it all.
But before that, they have to make it to the CL semi-finals. In our eyes, betting on a home win after 90 minutes between Wolfsburg and Arsenal holds a very promising value. On the one hand, because of the really good form and the enormous self-confidence. On the other hand, in view of the fact that the star ensemble from the Autostadt already brought Chelsea to their knees in the group stage with 4:0 in front of their home crowd. They also won all their home games in the league!
Predicted Wolfsburg line-up:
Schult; Wilms, Hendrich, Janssen, Rauch; Oberdorf, Lattwein; Popp, Roord, Huth; Wassmuth
Last matches played by Wolfsburg:
Women’s Bundesliga
03/26 2022 – Eintracht Frankfurt 1 – 4 VfL Wolfsburg
Women’s Champions League Final
03/23 2022 – Arsenal London 1 – 1 VfL Wolfsburg
Women’s Bundesliga
03/19 2022 – VfL Wolfsburg 3 – 0 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
03/16 2022 – SC Sand 1 – 2 VfL Wolfsburg
03/11 2022 – 1. FC Köln 1 – 5 VfL Wolfsburg
Arsenal – Statistics & current form
The English Women’s Super League is currently regarded as probably the strongest women’s football league in Europe. This assumption is primarily due to the fact that all the big players have now set up their own women’s divisions. Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City or Tottenham. This is the current ranking of the female Premier League counterpart on the island.
Arsenal Football Club has been in the league since it was founded in 2011. However, the big successes on the international stage have so far failed to materialise. They have also failed to win a major national title since 2016, although the Gunners are close to ending this drought in 2021/22. They are currently just one point behind leaders Chelsea.
Will Arsenal also be shown the limits in Wolfsburg?
Looking at the odds on Thursday night’s match between Wolfsburg and Arsenal, it must nevertheless be said that a progress of the Englishwomen would definitely be tantamount to a surprise. On the one hand, because the Red and Whites had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home in the first leg a week ago. On the other hand, because of the less than glamorous group phase that coach Jonas Eidevall’s team put on.
Among others, the Londoners lost 1:4 at FC Barcelona or with the same result at TSG Hoffenheim. They also lost 4-0 at home to the Spanish defending champions. Between Wolfsburg and Arsenal, we therefore dare to predict that the guests from the island, especially away from home, may have more problems at the absolute top level than many expect.
After evaluating these results, it is difficult to place a bet on the underdog, although it should not be forgotten that the squad with many renowned ladies from all over Europe undoubtedly meets the highest international standards.
Predicted Arsenal line-up:
Zinsberger; Maritz, Williamson, Rafaelle, Catley; Walti, Little, Miedema; Heath, McCabe, Blackstenius
Last Arsenal games:
Women’s Champions League Finals
03/23 2022 – Arsenal London 1 – 1 VfL Wolfsburg
Women’s FA Cup
03/18 2022 – Arsenal London 4 – 0 Coventry United LFC
WSL
03/13 2022 – Brighton & Hove Albion Women 0 – 3 Arsenal London
03/06 2022 – Arsenal London 4 – 2 Birmingham City Women
03/02 2022 – Arsenal London 4 – 0 Reading FC Women
Wolfsburg – Arsenal Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
The two teams have already faced each other once in the Champions League in the 2012/13 season, incidentally in the semi-finals back then. The Bundesliga team won both the first and second legs and later even lifted the trophy in the top flight.
Even if the 2021/22 women are not quite ready yet, it was clear in the first leg a week ago that the VfL, in top form, is rightly favoured. For a long time, the Stroot team was 1-0 up thanks to a goal by Tabea Waßmuth and even had several chances to increase the score. In the 89th minute, however, Carlotte Wubben-Moy finally equalised the score at 1-1.
Wolfsburg – Arsenal Tip
While we will have to wait until next week for the men’s quarter-finals, the women’s quarter-finals will already be decided this Wednesday and Thursday. From a German point of view, the women of VfL Wolfsburg also have good chances, and according to the betting odds, they are the favourites to advance against Arsenal.
This assessment is based on the impressions of the first leg, in which the Stroot team was the better team for long stretches and could have had a more promising starting position if they had taken their chances more effectively. In the end, however, it remained a 1-1 draw, which nevertheless ensures that VfL will punch their ticket to the final round with a win after 90 minutes in front of their home crowd in the Volkswagen Arena.
The most significant argument is undoubtedly the current top form of the Wölfin, who have not lost for 14 consecutive matches in all competitions, lead the Bundesliga and have recently been able to defeat strong opponents with relative ease. On the other hand, the Gunners left a lot to be desired in the preliminary round and conceded three defeats in six games, always with four goals conceded.
We have therefore decided to place our bets on a home win between Wolfsburg and Arsenal.
