Champions League
2012-09-19 - Manchester United vs Galatasaray
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : Europe : Champions League
Wednesday 19th September - Kickoff 7:45pm
Manchester United
United start their campaign looking to avenge heir poor effort last season when the Red Devils failed to qualify from the group stages.
Ferguson's side started with an away loss to Everton on opening weekend but haven't look back since winning the next 3 games. This run has seen them close the gap on Chelsea to just 1 point and enter this game high on confidence.
European nights at Old Trafford are always a great spectacle and United will be a force here for sure. Last season United drew 2 games from 3 as Basel (3-3) and Benfica (2-2) punished some poor defensive displays. They did beat Galati (2-0) in comfortable fashion and before last year the side was on a run of 4 wins from the last 5.
This team won't slip up as they did last season and I expect them to get a few goals on Wednesday. Van Persie should return as will Kagawa, both were saved at the weekend and when fresh could be devastating against their Turkish opponents tonight.
Galatasaray
Terim brings his Galatasaray side back into the Champions League for the first time in 4 years and it's a tough opener for them.
The Turks have a better domestic record than United coming into this with 3 wins and a draw from their 4 games played. Kasımpaşa (2-1), Bursaspor (3-2) and Antalyaspor (0-4) have been disposed of easily enough with the only dropped points away at Beşiktaş (3-3).
Termin has a decent side here, keeper Muslera is very good and many will remember Eboue from this Arsenal days. Hamit Altıntop and Felipe Melo are decent midfielders with the former a very good play maker when given space. Up top Elmander, Yilmaz and Bulut have 9 goals between them already this season and if United defend as they did in last year's campaign they will be punished tonight.
Betting Verdict
United are very short favourites here and that's no shock. They have the pedigree and know how to get through these kind of games. Of course last season was a complete shock and I don't see lightening striking twice.
Galatasaray will ask questions and given their huge goal threat I see them scoring in this game. Unfortunately I worry for them against the likes of RVP, Kagawa, Valencia, Nani and Young who are all players that are a quality above those seen in the Turkish Super Liga.
Ferguson was embarrassed with last year's 2 drawn games and I see nothing but a home win in this one. With the fixed market price way odds on I will take United to win this one well and by a dutch of 2 or 3 goals at a net price of 2.52. A fear is winning by 1 but I think United have enough to win by a couple.
Good Luck
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 3-1 Galatasaray
BEST BETTING TIP :
Dutch:- Manchester United to win by 2 goals at 4.33 Ladbrokes
- Manchester United to win by 3 goals at 6.00 Paddy Power
Net Price 2.52
