Champions League
2008-05-21 - Manchester United vs Chelsea F.C
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:This is it, the Final of the Champions League which will be contested for the first time ever by two English clubs in the form of the Premiership top two - Champions Manchester United and Runners Up Chelsea.
Manchester United will aim to claim only their third European Cup in a year that marked the 50 years of the Munich Air disaster. They are also on course to claim the double, having already bagged the Premiership title. Standing in their way is Chelsea where their manager Avram Grant as well as a few of their leading player's future at the club rests on the final here today.
But what everyone is keen to see is that whether Cristiano Ronaldo would prove to the world how he can handle the big games and be the best in the world by leading his team to victory here tonight.
United are back in the final after the 1999 unforgettable come from behind win over Bayern Munich and now with the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo in the side will aim to lead The Red Devils to their third European Cup!
In the past four season since Jose Mourinho led Chelsea to the Premiership titles, it is Chelsea that has the edge though as United have only won twice while Chelsea managed six wins, which also included last season's FA Cup Final. Chelsea also won the most recent encounter back in April although they would go on to lose the Premiership title to United on the final day of the season.
Chelsea will look to their midfield here with the likes of Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard and Claude Makalele. The question that will be on the back of everyone's minds is whether Ronaldo can add to hsi 41 goals he scored this season as he failed to shine against Barcelona in the semi-finals in both legs.
Even though Chelsea showed that they could cope playing 120 minutes in the semi-finals against Liverpool, no doubt they were helped by the fact that they were playing at Stamford Bridge. This time they won't have that advantage with it being played on neutral venue. There has also been speculation over the future of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and also Ricardo Carvalho as Jose Mourinho could start work back soon and they could just link up to join with him.
United has already won the Premier League, that has given them the mental edge over their opponents and The Red Devils has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Scholes will definitely start this match after having missed the 199 final due to suspension. Owen Hargreaves could start as a defensive shield alongside Michal Carrick to stop the runs from Ballack and Lampard in Chelsea's midfield. Ryan Giggs is expected to start from the bench as Park Ji-Sung is due to be in the starting eleven here.
On level ball, take Manchester United not to get beaten in 90 minutes here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Pick :
Manchester United to win 1-0 or draw 1-1
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Manchester United to win here. [Cover with the draw]
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Manchester United on level ball.
