Champions League
2008-05-21 - Manchester United vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Manchester United
Manchester United will be 'bouncing into Moscow' after winning the Premier League title 10 days ago as they go in search of their 3rd Champions League/European Cup. Destiny will be used in the build up to this game as it is 50 years since the Munich Air Crash and 40 years since United became the first English side to win Europe's top prize.
United compiled a 27-6-5 record in England this season where they scored 80 goals and conceded 22. This meant United ended the season as the team that scored the most goals as well as conceded the least.
The Champions League has also been a fruitful experience for United this season where their record is 9-3-0. United have scored 19 goals in those games while conceding only 5 goals. Since the knockout phase has begun, only Karim Benzema has breached the United goal en route to this final in Moscow.
United ended the season with only 1 defeat from their last 14 games in all competitions, albeit at Chelsea. United did manage to win 10 of those games and kept 9 clean sheets.
There are no injury worries coming into this game and a full squad has travelled to Moscow. Sir Alex Ferguson has stated he has his team in mind.
PROBABLE LINE UP- Van der Sar, Brown, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Hargreaves, Scholes, Carrick, Park Ji Sung, Ronaldo and Rooney.
Chelsea
Chelsea were perhaps disappointed that they just didnt do enough to steal the title off United but will be eagerly anticipating the final after beating United in their last meeting a couple of weeks ago. Avram Grant is not entirely expected to be manager of Chelsea come August, but he would love to eclipse the 'Special One' by winning the trophy Abramhovic really wants.
Chelsea ended their season with a 25-10-3 record in the Premier League in which they scored 65 goals and conceded 26. They lost the least amount of league games along with Arsenal and had the best away record in the division.
Chelsea's season in the Champions League has been filled with ups and downs. It all began that way with their 1-1 home draw with Rosenborg which turned out to be Mourinho's last game in charge, and they seemed to do just enough to get through the rounds. However, they did have a big semi final win over Liverpool, a feat that was not accomplished by Mourinho in 2 attempts. Overall, Chelsea went 6-5-1 in the Champions League with 19 goals scored (2 in extra time against Liverpool) and 7 conceded (1 in extra time against Liverpool).
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 9 games in all competitions since losing to Fenerbache in the first leg of their quarter final. They have won 5 of those matches and drawn 4 (90 minutes only). They may be concerned that they have only scored more than 1 goal in 4 of those 9 games and have only 4 clean sheets.
John Terry and Didier Drogba have recovered from injuries picked up in their last game at Bolton and Chelsea also have been given a clean bill of health.
PROBABLE LINE UP- Cech, Essien, Ashley Cole, Terry, Carvalho, Makalele, Ballack, Lampard, Joe Cole, Malouda and Drogba.
Route to the Final
United won a group containing Roma, Sporting Lisbon and Dynamo Kiev (5-1-0 record). They then knocked out Lyon (2-1 aggregate), Roma (3-0 aggregate) and Barcelona (1-0 aggregate).
Chelsea won a group containing Schalke, Valencia and Rosenborg (3-3-0 record). They then knocked out Olympiakos (3-0 aggregate), Fenerbache (3-2 aggregate) and Liverpool (4-3 aggregate after extra time).
Head to Head
United and Chelsea have met 8 times in the last 3 seasons and the record reads 2 wins for United, 3 for Chelseas and 3 draws (1 of those draws saw United win the penalty shoot out in the Community Shield). Since Roman Abramhovic took over Chelsea, Chelsea have won 7 games, United have won 2 and there have been 5 draws.
This will be the 4th meeting between the sides this season and so far it is 1-1-1. Both teams have won at home and drawn the only game on a neutral surface although United did go on to win that one of penalties.
Prediction
This game will be a close fought encounter and could really develop into a tactical battle the longer it takes for a goal to be scored. If it is still 0-0 with 20 minutes to go, I can see both sides settling in for the long haul of extra time as the fear of losing becomes apparent.
Both sides have solid defences while also possessing players that can turn a game with a moment of magic. Both managers should have plenty of options on the bench if they wish to change approach or need to change tactics during the match.
The game should be a better spectacle than the FA Cup Final between the sides last year as they both have had 10 days to prepare this time and shouldnt be as tired as last season.
I can see this game ending as a score draw at full time and I am leaning towards a United win in extra time. Both sides have had disappointing penalty shoot outs in recent memory (Chelsea losing to Liverpool last season in the Champions League, United losing the FA Cup Final to Arsenal in 2005) and I dont think either side would wish for them to settle this game.
United seem to have the edge in scoring ability and I would not be surprised if Ronaldo popped up with the winner in the second half of extra time after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. 40 years after George Best scored in extra time to set United on their way to their first European Cup, perhaps Ronaldo will emulate him to help United win their third.
The Pick :
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (2-1 United AET
BEST BETTING TIP :
Draw after 90 minutesSmall bet on United to win in extra time
