Champions League
2011-02-23 - Marseille vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:Manchester United still has hopes of repeating the famous treble they did in 1999 but they were given a scare last weekend with non-league Crawley and must take caution when they come up against Didier Deschamps' Marseille is the first of a schedule of games that will make or break the campaign.
Manchester United have to visit Wigan and then Chelsea in two away fixtures and then arch-rivals Liverpool before hosting either Arsenal or Leyton Orient in the FA Cup quarter-finals prior to a Champions League second leg on 15th March.
Manchester United knows that the last time they came here after winning the treble, they were beaten by Marseille so he will be extra careful and will also want to record first leg wins like Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham did.
Marseille comes into this match after winning the Ligue One and the former France captain and Chelsea midfielder claims to have been approached to manage Liverpool in the past and it seems a certainty he will one day take charge of an English club.
United though will start this match as favourites but will miss the services of several first-team players in France, including England captain Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs. Ferdinand has not played since injuring a calf before United's Premier League defeat at Wolves on 5th February and his fellow central defender, Jonny Evans, also misses the match with an ankle problem.
That means Chris Smalling is in line to start alongside captain Nemanja Vidic in the heart of the United back four.
Meanwhile Michael Owen misses this match with a groin injury while midfielder Anderson another non-traveller after reportedly suffering a knee injury to lead to his half-time substitution in the win over Crawley.
Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio could be involved, despite both coming off with injuries at the weekend, while youngsters Joshua King and Ryan Tunnicliffe have travelled, along with Gabriel Obertan and Bebe will be in the squad.
Deschamps, who guided Monaco to the Champions League final in 2004, will call upon former United defender Gabriel Heinze as he comes up against his former team mates. The Argentine left United for Real Madrid under a cloud in 2007 after an agent attempted to force a move to Liverpool, which was blocked by Old Trafford's management.
Influential midfielder Mathieu Valbuena is fit after overcoming a knee strain to start this match. Winger Loic Remy should start, despite a slight concern about a twisted ankle, while forward Andre Ayew is a threat and needs to be watched by United's Smalling and Vidic.
Take Manchester United to win here and give the 1/4 ball here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Pick :
Manchester United to win 1-0
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Manchester United to win.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Manchester United and give the 1/4 ball.
