Chelsea v Manchester United - Champions League Final on Wed 21/5

[Spooner]

90 Mins

Best Odds:

Manchester Utd	2.62
Draw	3.20
Chelsea	3.25

Winners

Manchester United	4/5
Chelsea	11/10

[kozmask]

Surely an unpredictable game. I'll put some money on draw because I think this will be an balanced game between the two teams with a lot of goal occasions but in the end the match could be solved in late extra time or penalties as we are used to in such big clashes. If someone wins in the 90 minutes the most probable score will be 2-1. Ballack and Ronaldo anytime goalscorer.

[Riku888]

Draw full-time ( I think 1-1). Man Utd to win in extra-time.

[istanbul05]

Nearly £400 riding on 0-0.

I put £1 on United 0-0, Pompey 1-0, Milan, Villarreal, Bayern, and Rochdale. The other 5 have come off, just need United to draw now!
Going to be very tense watching and just hoping neither team scores.

[Kozzin Benson]

I agree with all the talk so far in the media about game being tight, after all there is so much to lose it would be a great shame for any team to throw it away so i doubt if the game will ever get stretched.
How about laying chelsea 3.3 then backing man utd correct scores 1-0,2-0 & 2-1, highly unlikely that there will be more than 3 goals scored by utd.

Thats what i am thinking about anyway.
Good luck everyone & fingers crossed for an entertaining final!

[western skies]

For me, it's a 50:50 match - both teams capable of beating the other and likely to be a close game.

The value has to lie with Chelsea, given the odds, wither in the outright or the 90 mins markets.

[Riku888]

I just think if Rio and Vidic nullify Drogba Chelsea don't have a lot in attack. With Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez the likely hood is that one of them can make something happen.

[AJ]

Originally Posted by western skies

For me, it's a 50:50 match - both teams capable of beating the other and likely to be a close game.

The value has to lie with Chelsea, given the odds, wither in the outright or the 90 mins markets.

If there was a post of the month award I'd nominate you for it right now.

Teams are dead even, Chelsea are a compelling value prop. I see zero reason for the price biais towards United.

[chrislloyd2001uk]

£15 Man Utd to win in 90 mins
£15 Man Utd to win the cup
£5 rooney anytime scorer
£5 correct score 0-0

This is quite a big bet for me in one game!

[DJ]

Very tempted to back Paul Scholes to be shown a card tonight @ 3.3. Seeing as tackling has never been one of Scholes' strong points I think that given the tension, the big night approach a careless, silly tackle will be punished by a card. Add in the fact that as Chelsea will likely play 3 midfielders in the centre against Manchester United's 2 and Scholes will have to be busy to try and stop the Chelsea midfield. The only fear factor for me that surrounds the bet is that referees tend to be more lenient in finals for fear of sending a player off and spoiling the game I presume. Still at the moment this will be the bet for me. I will also be interested to see how the price fluctuates as Scholes to be shown a card can be laid at 3.55 and yet only backed at 3.3. I'm interested to know if it will be possible to back him at any point at odds nearer 3.5 so there is that added extra bit of value in there too.

[DJ]

Just to add to what I said earlier about Scholes, as he missed the Champions League Final in 1999, I think he will be eager to make his mark in this one. I can imagine him running around, chasing after every tackle and trying to make the game his. That could mean that he scores the winning goal and all the Manchester United fans love him or it could mean that he will go in for a silly challenge and get injured or booked.

[AJ]

Originally Posted by DJ

Very tempted to back Paul Scholes to be shown a card tonight @ 3.3. Seeing as tackling has never been one of Scholes' strong points I think that given the tension, the big night approach a careless, silly tackle will be punished by a card. Add in the fact that as Chelsea will likely play 3 midfielders in the centre against Manchester United's 2 and Scholes will have to be busy to try and stop the Chelsea midfield. The only fear factor for me that surrounds the bet is that referees tend to be more lenient in finals for fear of sending a player off and spoiling the game I presume. Still at the moment this will be the bet for me. I will also be interested to see how the price fluctuates as Scholes to be shown a card can be laid at 3.55 and yet only backed at 3.3. I'm interested to know if it will be possible to back him at any point at odds nearer 3.5 so there is that added extra bit of value in there too.

Not a bad shout, interested that you think United will only play with 2 midfielders, I tend to think Sir Alex will try and crowd midfield and play a 4-5-1 solution.

I think it'll most likely be a tight low scoring game, may have a nibble at 1-1 correct score

[mattsthebest]

4-5-1 or 4-4-2 for me Chelsea will have the greater of the possession. Their midfield is superior IMO and tactically they play a more continental style of football with their slow build up play.

I expect to see Man Utd doing alot of chasing and tackling and trying to feed Ronaldo/Rooney on the counter.

If Man Utd come out to force their play this could be an awesome match, but I doubt it. Fergie probably feels he's never really won this cup - '99 was some sought of miracle - and so he won't take any risks.

I expect a match that acheives few highs, plenty of tension and if we're lucky a goal or 2. There will be cards as well. No way a ref can keep a lid on this with these players...especially if Ronaldo's play acting, Scholes mistackling and Drogba up to his usual antics. And thrown in a host of other players. This for me could be a big makeup.

[Carl]

If he does go with 1 up front then Rooney will be fustrated at not getting the ball, he'll drift back into midfield rather than stay up top. Rooney to be shown first card is 11/1 Betfred. Might be worth a few quid.


Apart from a few scorecasts there's not much value in any of the markets.
I do think that Utd will lift the trophy 8/11 so I'll go for 1-0 cover the 1-1 with Ronaldo, Giggs ,Scholes tsf.

Regarding the match itself I think its going to a shite match for us to watch, if your a fan its going to be a nailbiter. Both teams from an away perspective dont score many goals.

[DJ]

Originally Posted by AJ

Not a bad shout, interested that you think United will only play with 2 midfielders, I tend to think Sir Alex will try and crowd midfield and play a 4-5-1 solution.

I think it'll most likely be a tight low scoring game, may have a nibble at 1-1 correct score

If Tevez and Rooney are both to start then Manchester United will have to field a 4 man midfield. Ronaldo drifts all over the place which would leave 3 central midfielders against Chelsea's 3 central midfielders, to correct what I had said earlier. However, unless Manchester United are playing narrow then it is likely that one of the central midfielders gets dragged a bit more to the wing, likely Hargreaves, leaving Carrick and Scholes as the more recognised central partnership.

I'm very tempted to go in big on Scholes to be booked tonight right now as I think it's almost inevitable, we will see though.

[JCtips]

My picks for today:

Manchester United-Chelsea
Cristiano Ronaldo is having a GREAT season and this is surely and so far the opportunity of his life/career to make and even bigger impact and secure the current "best player of the world" title for good this season...what better stage than a Champions League final?

I'm betting Ronaldo will be the best player on the pitch tonight and have one of his great performances again.
At this price this is great value IMO and I'll take it.
This also means that I see MU raising the trophy at the end of the match (even if it is through penalties).
My picks: Cristiano Ronaldo to be the "man of the match" (5.00) and MU to raise the trophy (1.79)

Good luck!

JC

[meekins67]

What's going on khids

1 each. Thank me later.

[American Locksmith]

Going to have a go at Over 2.5 @2.75 see some value in this although there is no question this game can go under. I do however see there being at least 1 goal in this match it just depends how early it comes and hopefully there will be 1 goal at HT if there is more than that great. I read the forecast for Moscow and although im not from there the forecast was calling for light rain all day maybe someone in Moscow can confirm the weather? if the rain does stay light it can help the over. Going to make it a smaller play because I really just want to enjoy the game without focusing on the bet too much. OVER 2.5 @ 2.75 Stake 2/10

GL To All

[western skies]

Well, I've had a good look at all the markets and I still see the value in the overall winner/90 minutes area.

Time to put my money where my mouth is. This isn't a prediction, although as a Chelsea fan I'll honestly say I'm surprised how confident I feel going into this game, it is purely a value bet.

Winner 2007/08 Champions League - Chelsea @ 2.12 BetFair 5/10

(oh, and cheers AJ & good luck, but not too much )

[Sir Fernando]

Chelsea to lift the cup @ 11/10 for me.

They know how to win big games like last seasons FA Cup final and the home game at Stamford Bridge this year. Wouldn't suprise me if MU were quite negative, Chelsea look strong in midfield and up for a battle.