Champions League
2008-04-02 - Fenerbahce vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
UEFA Champions League Quarter-finals
Sükrü Saraçoglu - Istanbul
Wednesday, 2nd April 2008 - KO 20:45 (CET)
Fenerbahce (Turkey)
There will be many people who write this tie off as a simple task for Chelsea, but before nodding your head in agreement just do me a favour and look at the quality in the Turkish side.
Fenerbahce are top of the Turkish Super Ligi, with an impressive 11-2-1 record in Istanbul, and they've also won all five home matches in the UEFA Champions League (including a 1-0 victory over Anderlecht in the 3rd qualification round).
Managed by football legend Zico, Fenerbahçe advanced to the knockout stages for the first time and at the fifth attempt after finishing second in Group G with a record of W3 D2 L1.
Then Fener edged out Sevilla in the knockout round, winning on penalties after the two sides finished 5-5 on aggregate after a pair of 3-2 home wins.
Chelsea (England)
Chelsea continue to do what Chelsea do best, with a very strong squad of high class internationals the Blues are dominating the midfield of most games and getting the best out of Didier Drogba and Joe Cole up front to score the goals.
Chelsea's progress to this stage has been much easier than Fenerbahce's. The Blues won Group B with a record of three wins and three draws, then they overcame Olympiacos CFP 3-0 on aggregate in the last 16.
Chelsea are very hard to beat at Stamford Bridge, have not lost a domestic league game for 4 seasons and only lost once in 20 UEFA Champions League games during the same period. (to Barcelona)
This fact probably means that manager Avram Grant will set out with a similar game plan to the last round - and would be happy to take back a 0-0 draw.
TEAM NEWS
Both Fenerbahce's usual full-backs could be missing, as Gökhan Gönül is suspended and Roberto Carlos has been sidelined since injuring his thigh against Sevilla on 20 February his coach does not think he can last 90 minutes.
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Chelsea manager Avram Grant will continue with Carlo Cudicini in goal as Petr Čech has failed to shake off an ankle injury. Better news for Chelsea is that Frank Lampard seems to have overcome a stomach bug.
THE VERDICT
Fenerbahce are good, very good. They're playing better than I've seen any Turkish side play in the Champions League and their form in this stadium has to be respected.
Chelsea are a step-up in class for Fenerbahce though, demonstrably better than any of Fener's opponents so far, and they'll be very, very tough to beat.
I think that this will be a game of few chances, and I would not be surprised if it finished without a goal after 90 minutes.
The price on a home win is far too high, even though it's not my tipped result, and I would not want to put of any fan who is thinking of a bet.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Fenerbahce 0-0 Chelsea
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll look at the DRAW as a high paying option.
Gooners Statistical Value Bet
Although a safer play is probably taking FENERBAHCE +0.5 goal headstart on the asian handicap as the Turkish side have been awesome at home.
