Champions League
2008-05-21 - Manchester United vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Mike
UEFA Champions League
Wednesday 21st May 2008 - KO 19:45
Chelsea Boosted by Fitness of Drogba & Terry
With a striking similarity to last season, Manchester United find themselves chasing a league and cup double with only Chelsea standing in their way.
Last season the Blues thwarted them as the failed to add the FA Cup to the Premiership title. The Londoners will be looking to do the same as the Red Devils look to add the Champions League trophy to the Premier League silverware earned last weekend.
Chelsea pushed Manchester United all the way in this season’s Premier League, but ultimately failed by the narrowest of margins on the final day of the season.
They don’t have to wait long for a chance to exact revenge, as the sides meet on Wednesday night at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow for the first ever all-Premiership Champions League.
Chelsea have been boosted by the recovery of John Terry and Didier Drogba, who both sustained injuries in the final league game of the season.
Drogba scored the winner in extra-time when the sides met in the 2007 FA Cup final, while a Michael Ballack double gave the Blues three points when the sides met at Stamford Bridge near the end of April.
Despite that recent defeat, Alex Ferguson feels confident of repeating his 1999 success in this competition with Man Utd.
Fergie was recently named Premier League manager of the season, while Cristiano Ronaldo scooped player of the season as well as the top scorer’s golden boot, one of several plaudits the winger has earned.
Headlines in recent days have interpreted comments from Ronaldo as suggesting he is destined to leave for Real Madrid. Such rumours are an unnecessary distraction for Man Utd’s key player, and he will have to block the speculation out as he seeks to fulfil his potential on the biggest stage.
BOOKMAKERS VIEW
Leading online soccer bookmaker, PinnacleSports.com, price Man Utd 1.800 favourites to add the European trophy to their Premiership silverware, with Chelsea 2.150 to gain retribution for domestic disappointment.
Meanwhile PinnacleSports.com price Ronaldo 2.890 to score in 90 minutes, with Drogba 3.880 to find the net.
THE VERDICT
There are so many ways to contrast these two sides, but Manchester United and Chelsea are rarely more than a goal apart these days, and the contest is almost too tight to call.
United are probably the better side, but Chelsea are constructed in a way that makes them so hard to beat and with the better shot stopper in Petr Cech I would favour Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out.
The Pick :
Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea
BEST BETTING TIP :
Consider the DRAW in 90 minutes (probably scoreless)Take CHELSEA to win the trophy (somehow) @ 2.10 at Centrebet.
