Champions League
2011-02-23 - Marseille vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : European Champions League
Wednesday 23 February 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Marseille
Marseille are the only French winners of the European Cup in any of its various formats when a side containing some of the most prominent players from that country in a generation beat AC Milan in 1993. Subsequent findings about fixing games has not tainted the success of that Marseille side and the current crop now have an opportunity to reach the last 8 for the first time since that famous year.
Didier Deschamps led his Marseille team to the Ligue One Championship last season and will be hoping they can emulate his Monaco side that reached the Final in 2004 before falling to Porto. Marseille are still in contention at home, currently sitting 3rd in the table and are only 3 points behind leaders Lille. They are 7-4-1 at home this season, scoring 19 goals and conceding 9. In the Champions League, Marseille were 2-0-1 here, scoring 2 goals and conceding 1.
The team should have confidence in their ability to win this game after winning 5 of their last 6 games in all competitions. Marseille have lost just 1 of their last 11 games overall. They have not lost at the Stade Velodrome since Match Day 1 in the Champions League, a run of 13 games and they have won 3 in a row here.
Deschamps has a few injuries to contend with leading into the game. Andre Pierre-Gignac was forced off with an injury at the weekend and is likely out. Luc Remy and Brandao are both facing fitness tests while the influential Mathieu Valbuena has not made a recovery from his injury in time.
Manchester United
Manchester United made disappointing progress in the FA Cup at the weekend as a second string side struggled to put away Non-League Crawley Town at Old Trafford. Many of the players involved have done themselves no favours when it comes future United appearances although Sir Alex Ferguson is sure to be happy his first team players all enjoyed a rest before the next 4 games which are all away from Old Trafford.
United remain on top of the Premier League but could be seeing their lead cut down to 1 point if Arsenal get the victory over Stoke City as I am anticipating. It has been the away form that has kept the pack close on the heels of United, and the Red Devils are only 3-8-1 on their travels, scoring 18 goals and conceding 16. They are 3-0-0 in away games in Europe this season, scoring 5 goals and keeping clean sheets with each win.
The team have lost just 1 of their last 16 games in all competitions and have won 9 of their last 11 games. United had won 3 of 4 away games before losing to Wolves in game on their travels. More of a concern for Sir Alex will be the fact United have 1 clean sheet in their last 7 games away from home.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be bringing back the first team players that were rested against Crawley with the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes, Nani and Wayne Rooney restored to the starting line up. Ryan Giggs and Anderson have been ruled out, along with Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans. That means Chris Smalling, who was impressive in the Manchester Derby, will play alongside Vidic.
Head to Head
The last time these two teams met was also the last time Marseille have reached this stage of the European Champions League.
The matches took place in the group stages in 1999-2000 with both teams winning on home soil.
Marseille won the game here 1-0 thanks to a certain William Gallas.
The French team are 7-0-2 at home against English opposition after beating Chelsea here 1-0 earlier this season.
United are 3-6-2 away from home against teams from France but have won 9 of their last 10 away games in Europe.
Prediction
These two teams will both be hoping to still be involved in the tie when the game goes back to Old Trafford in a little under a months time and that could lead to a tight game with neither side feeling they have to attack in a gung-ho fashion.
A quick look at their Champions League records this season at home and away respectively shows that goals have been at a premium in their games. Both look to keep things tight at the back and try and nick a winner and I am sure both managers would take a 1-0 result either way right now.
Manchester United are still given a lot of respect by European ties, although I was very surprised to see them priced up at just over 2.1 in some places. That is far too short for me in a game where Marseille have proven how tough they are at home this season.
Marseille themselves are missing some influential attacking pieces for this game which may just tip the game in United's favour but not enough for me.
The 'Over 2.5 Goals' and 'Over 1.5 Goals' markets have been priced up low enough with both teams' 3 games at home and away respectively providing 6 goals.
However, I was pleasantly surprised with Victor Chandler's standout 1.8 for 'Both Teams NOT to Score'. Both teams have defended well for the most part in the Champions League and that would have been a winner in all 3 games the sides have played at home and away respectively as well as the only meeting here back in 1999.
The price surprised me and is the option I will take in this game.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Marseille 0-1 Manchester United
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll take the Both Teams NOT to Score @ 1.8 Victor Chandler (3 UNITS)Follow me on Twitter @DavindaAulak- the direct link is below
