Champions League Final - Man Utd v Chelsea

deco121 · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 11:53 am Post subject:

Man Utd (in 90 mins) @ 6/4

Man Utd were crowned champions on Saturday afternoon as both Alex Ferguson and Ryan Giggs won their 10th Premier League trophy. You can be sure, however, that from Wednesday all celebrations will be finished with as the team focus on their final (and arguably most important) game of the season - the Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

Ferguson knows just how hard it is to win this trophy as he hasn't even come close to it since winning back in 1999 and he will make sure his team are prepared 100% for the game - the fact that Ryan Giggs is set to break Sir Bobby Charlton's all time appearance record for the club in Moscow will, in Ferguson's mind, be completely irrelevant and he will demand his players to focus completely on the game and to forget about records and stats.

After the semi-final against Barcelona I felt Chelsea would win the Champions League as the United defence didn't look that solid while Cristiano Ronaldo was, yet again, very disappointing in a big game. There's no doubting he has had a superb season as the stats speak for themselves but he has yet to do it in a big game and will need to step up to the plate in Moscow. The reason I've now changed my mind to Man Utd from Chelsea is because of the improvement in form of United's defence, the imminent return of Vidic and the recent injuries picked up by Terry, Carvalho and Drogba. They are without doubt 3 of the 5 most important players to Chelsea in my opinion (with Lampard and Cech filling the other places) and if all, or indeed any, of those 3 are missing then it will be a big blow to Chelsea's chances and they will face an uphill struggle in Moscow.

The one man who could steal the show in Moscow in my opinion is Carlos Tevez. He was outstanding against Barcelona and in general has been the 'unsung hero' of Man Utd's season. His work rate and passing have been superb throughout the entire season plus he ain't half bad at grabbing goals either and he could put in a man of the match performance in Moscow in my opinion if given the chance by Fergie.

Having 'split the series' (as the yanks say) this season with a win each and given the fact that both league games last year were draws this has all the signs of being yet another tight game. It certainly won't be a landslide but I feel that with Chelsea likely to be missing key players and with Man Utd at full strenght, Fergie can grab his second Champions League trophy to round off a successful 22nd year in charge of one of the greatest clubs of all time.
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dorrian3 · Group 3 Class Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 85

Van der sar
Brown
Ferdinand
Vidic
Evra
Ronaldo
Scholes
Carrick
Giggs
Tevez
Rooney

That team above i think is utd strongest team as it has pace,strength and great passing and also has experience

if fergie wants to win it park needs to be off the pitch

Imo utd will win it 2-1

brewster39 · Triple Crown Winner Joined: 29 Dec 2006 Posts: 1094

I'm not sure Park would be better then Giggs in a Champs league final. Ryan Giggs' experience is the exact kind of mentality United will need on the pitch
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Betfairalfie · At Stud Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 4892

Park has been impressive - determined and fast. But I really can't see Giggs not geting a game, perhaps 2nd half sub. Great way for Ryan to beat Sir Bobby's attendance record Wink

and the experience he brings may be crucial.

nors · Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks to the traders from Sporting Index for their thoughts on the Champions League Final.

Sign up with Sporting Index via this link if you fancy taking a look at a different kind of wager.

The Champions League Final is only five days away and it is difficult to way up the key betting options at this stage, but there are some useful stats to focus on for the first ever all-English Champions League Final. Whatever happens between Man United and Chelsea, England will become the equal most successful nation in European Cup / Champions League history with 11 wins, alongside Italy and Spain. There will be plenty of punters interested in the total goals market in this game and buyers of goals at 2.5 will be concerned that only one of the last six meetings between these two has seen more than 2 goals (that was only last month at Stamford Bridge). However, they will be much more pleased when they hear that five of the last six and seven of the last nine Champions League Finals have contained at least three goals.

There have only ever been two ‘one country’ finals in the history of the European Cup and they have both been in the last eight years. AC Milan v Juventus was settled on penalties after a goal-less draw, whilst Madrid beat Valencia 3-0 in 2000. Sellers of United supremacy at 0.1 will be hoping Chelsea can continue their recent positive run against the Red Devils. In the past 12 games between the clubs they have won six, compared with only two victories for United. However, the sides have never met in Europe before.

Risk Warning - Sports spread betting involves a high level of risk and you can lose more than your original stake. It is not suitable for everyone so please ensure you understand the risks involved and only bet with money you can afford to lose. Sporting Index is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

tonyoni · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject:

Will Abramovich be shown on ITV 4 or more times?
5/4 seems ok - another pp special

martingardner1 · Listed Class Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 32

This game is bound to be tight. This is typical of the top sides especially when there is very little between them. Expect a furious yet tense first 30 mins where each team is battling hard to retrieve and keep possession. Both sides have 2 of the best defences in the world (minus perhaps Brown and the Chelsea right back). Often the strong defences and knowledge of how difficult it is to come back from a goal down translates into very few real chances and things kept very tight particularly around the area. All these factors makes under 2.5 a strong bet. Under 1.5 may also be worth a look in at 2.64 (Betfair) although this game could quite forseeably finish 1-1 after 90 mins. I also think the draw looks fairly good value at 3.13 and the best value out of the 3 alternatives.

I think Man Utd will go on to win this trophy. Both teams have great players, but I think it will be Man Utd's formidable team spirit and winning mentality which will see them through in the end. Anything above 1.8 for the Man Utd to lift the trophy is worth taking in my opinion .

Best Bet Under 2.5 @1.53 (Centrebet)

If your feeling cautious, couple this with a Man U 2 - 1 @ 11 and Chelsea 2-1 @ 13 for around a 1.28 return

ids81o · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject:

What time is kick off in russia?

Betfairalfie · At Stud Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 4892

Kick-off: 1945 BST

Antony OLBG · Stallion Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5776

Very nice offer on this from Paddy Power
Money back on 1X2, CS, HTFT and GS markets if Ronanldo scores in normal time
http://www.online-betting-guide.co.uk/free_2248.php

feedamusedfish · Listed Class Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 25

kick off in russia is 22.45 - 3 hours forward
how mad is that?
with penalties, extra time looking at a possible finish of around 1.20am!
how i love sky and their big bucks to command all kick offs!

ids81o · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 10:12 am Post subject:

I wonder if the late kick off will have any effect on the players.
They will get a lye in bed i suppose. The players will be spending more time with each other UTD players get on but Chelsea are not the best of mates.