Champions League
2008-11-25 - Villarreal vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
UEFA Champions League Group stage
El Madrigal - Villarreal - Spain
Tuesday 25 November 2008 20:45 (CET)
Villarreal manager Manuel Pellegrini is talking up this game as if he'll be going for the victory despite the fact that a "gentle draw" with Manchester United would assure both teams of progressing to the knockout stage.
Villarreal (8 pts - D W W D)
But somehow that seems like hollow rhetoric to me, an attempt to boost ticket sales than a realistic evaluation of what we are likely to see here tonight.
Pellegrini admits as much in a UEFA.com interview when he says "It's clear that our first aim is to qualify then to be first, If we are, all the better, but if the draw qualifies us, I will be happy"
Strikers Nihat Kahveci and Joseba Llorente are both missing for Villarreal.
Manchester United (8 pts - D W W D)
Cristiano Ronaldo has travelled out with the rest of the Manchester United squad to Spain ahead of the Champions League match against Villarreal on Tuesday.
The Portugal winger was considered doubtful after suffering a leg injury in the draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, and if he does play then it suggests that United are playing for more than a goal-less draw.
The holders travelled to Spain without goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who will be replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak, and also without Gary Neville and Dimitar Berbatov.
Head to Head
These sides have met three times recently, and on all three occasions the game has finished in a 0-0 draw, including the first match of this seasons group stage at Old Trafford.
THE VERDICT
Both teams qualify with a draw. Nuff said.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Villarreal 0-0 Manchester United
