CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BETTING PICK - MANCHESTER UTD V BARCELONA

Champions League

2008-04-29 - Manchester Utd vs Barcelona

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Analysis:

After the goalless draw in the first leg at the Nou Camp, Manchester United will come away knowing that they have home ground advantage and also must turn on the magic at the Theatre of Dreams if they are to reach the Champions League final in Moscow next month.

Barcelona would be kicking themselves for not getting the win in the first leg despite the amount of possession they had in the first leg and have taken steps to prepare for this match by resting the likes of Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Xavi. They are currently third in the La Liga and even though they were beaten by Deportivo La Coruna last weekend 2-0, they obviously had their minds on the game with Manchester United as that is the only trophy they can win this season.

This game will once again see the confrontation between Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo as from the first leg the battle between them was won by Lionel Messi as he was clearly the better player before he was substituted. Manchester United’s Ronaldo on the other hand found it hard to give his best and even missed a penalty in the second minute which could have put the game on United’s advantage.

United playing on their home ground tonight and the likes of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez will want to make amends after the duo had disappointing display on the night. No doubt that last week their best performers on the night were Edwin van der Sar, Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown who did well to hold the defence and prevent Barcelona from scoring.

Even though Barcelona played some wonderful football in the first leg and had most of the possession, it will be a different story tonight at the Theatre of Dreams. They will want to take advantage of Barcelona’s poor away record in Europe and Cristiano Ronaldo who has just recently received his PFA Award will be eager to make up for missing the penalty in the first leg as well as having a poor game then. He was rested against Chelsea but came on in the second half which is every indication he will start this match. Also expect the likes of Rooney as well as Tevez to make up for their poor displays.

With regards to the team news, Barcelona is without the suspended Rafael Marquez but will be having Captain Carlos Puyol back in the side in place of the Mexican. The visitors will miss Brazilian Ronaldinho who is out with injury and he would have made a big difference had he played in the first leg. As for Manchester United., they have injury concerns over defender Nemanja Vidic as well as striker Wayne Rooney but both should be available to face Barcelona in this match.

United will be eager to reach the final and play their first Champions League final after winning the trophy beating Bayern Munich back in 1999. That alone will be enough motivation for the Red Devils to get the better of Barcelona here and they will also be eager to erase the pain the Chelsea defeat brought them in their last match.

Take Manchester United and give the 1/2 ball away here.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Statistics :

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Take Manchester United to win this match.