Champions League
2009-03-11 - Manchester United vs Inter Milano
A Sports Betting Pick by Shady
Football: Europe, UEFA Champions League
Wednesday, 11th March 2009 - Kickoff 19:45
The clash between Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho is back yet again and this could boil up this time as only one man can progress to the next round.
Sir Alex Ferguson is chasing for his second successive UCL trophy while Jose Mourinho wants to prove that he is still the “Special One”.
Regardless about what is happening off the pitch, somebody has to score at least once tonight if the game were not to go to penalties.
Jose Mourinho believes Zalatan Ibrahimovic to be the one to score any you can follow Mourinho’s pick and back Ibramahovic to score anytime at a price of 3.50 with bet365. I personally fancy Wayne Rooney and the price for him is at 2.75 with bet365.
Sir Alex Ferguson rested Ronaldo, Giggs and Berbatov in the weekend’s FA Cup clash against Fulham which saw them win comfortably with a 4-0 score line. Carlos Tevez was in fine form that night netting a sensational 2nd goal. However he is unlikely to make the starting lineup.
Van Der Saar is will start in goal, while O’Shea, Rio Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra will start in defense. In midfield, Carrick is almost certain to start alongside Scholes in the heart of midfield, allowing Ronaldo and Giggs to play on right and left wing respectively. Rooney and Berbatov is expect to start up front, however Rooney should drop deeper into the midfield role to help out the midfield.
Jose Mourinho has tonnes of homework to do as he has to reshuffle his defense and probably fit Estebian Cambiaso into defense.
Walter Samuel is fit again and is expected to start. Marco Meterrazi and Nicolas Burdisso both limped off in the weekend and is unlikely to take part against Manchester. Adriano and Muntari who was both on the bench is expected to be recalled to the starting lineup.
Inter is likely to deploy their regular 4-4-2 diamond heart midfield against United. If Cambiaso is moved to defense, I am interested to see who will replace him in front of defense as Veira is still out injured. I believe Zanetti would be the likely replacement.
Salley Muntari and Luis Figo are both expected to start wide allowing Dejan Stankovic to play as an attacking midfielder. Ibrahimvoic should partner Adriano up front.
Key players to watch out for would definitely be Cristiano Ronaldo who was superb in the first leg in San Siro. He was unlucky not to score early on against Inter. On the other hand Julio Cesar was fantastic. He put in a couple of key saves and he would have to do the same tonight if Inter wish to progress to the quarter-final.
The Betting Verdict :
Manchester United have a very good record against Italian teams in Old Trafford.
In the last 10 years there have been six games against Italian sides in the Champions League with United holding a 4-1-1 record at Old Trafford - and that's a decent enough record for me to back Manchester United to win the game.
The Statistics :
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BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Manchester United to win the game
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Manchester United to cover the 0.5 or 0.75 head start.
