UEFA Cup
2008-04-24 - Bayern Munich vs Zenit St Petersburg
A Sports Betting Pick by Simon
UEFA Cup
Thursday 24th April 2008 - KO 19:45 GMT
Zenit Will Command Respect from Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich head PinnacleSports.com’s online UEFA Cup betting market at the semi-final stage, but the Bavarians twice came within minutes of elimination in the previous round. Sapin's Getafe grabbed a 1-1 draw in a quarter-final first leg at the Allianz Arena, then pushed the Bundesliga leaders all the way in the reverse leg in Spain.
The Spaniard’s stunned Bayern Munich by taking a 44th minute lead despite having only ten men, and it was only in the 89th minute that Frank Ribery saved their blushes.
Getafe then scored two quick-fire goals in extra-time, which looked to have sent them through to the last four. However, one thing that all football bettors know is to never write off a German side, and true enough Luca Toni produced a brace with five minutes remaining to break Spanish hearts, and send Bayern Munich through on away goals.
Having won the German Cup on Saturday, the Germans are on course for an histroric treble, which would include the Bundesliga title and success in this competition.
Coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld, will be obviously be delighted by the show of spirit that got them through their tricky quarter-final, but at the same time he will be worried that they got themselves into that situation in the first place, against a side that club President, Franz Beckenbauer, described as ‘nobodies’. Bayern will probably be more respectful in the face of the challenge of playing Russian Champions, Zenit St.Petersburg, in the semi-finals.
Munich will definitely aim to take a healthy lead East from the first leg at the Allianz Arena on April 24th, as the Russians have shown real strength at home.
Zenit bounced back from a 3-1 deficit against Marseille in the last 16, winning the reverse leg 2-0 in Russia. They then moved up a gear in the quarter-finals hammering Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 in the first leg in Germany to effectively kill the tie, and end a hoodoo against German clubs.
PinnacleSports.com nevertheless price Zenit St.Petersburg as big underdogs for the trip to the Allianz Arena at 1.901 (+1.25).
TEAM NEWS
Some attacknig problems for Bayern Munich as they wil have to play without without the suspended Luca Toni, who has scored two goals in each of the preceding four games - 8 in total.
Miroslav Klose is also doubtful with a foot injury meaning that the out of form Lucas Podolski will probably start.
THE VERDICT
Bayern Munich have now been warning about Zenit's counter attacking abilities, and I suspect that we will see a cagey game and a close result.
The Pick :
Bayern Munich 2-1 Zenit (or 1-1)
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
I will take ZENIT ST PETERSBURG with a +1.25 goal start to keep the score close
