Champions League
2011-05-28 - Barcelona vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : UEFA : Champions League
Saturday, May 28th, 2011 - Kickoff 7:45PM GMT
Barcelona are the clear favourites to win this trophy for the 4th time. They have lifted the cup twice in the last 6 years, beating English opposition in both finals. Arsenal went down 2-1 in 2006, while Manchester United played the role of runners-up in 2009. It's Spain v England in the finals again, only this time the game is being played on English soil. The new Wembley stadium is the setting for the 2011 finals.
BARCELONA
Guardiola brought his La Liga champions to London ahead of schedule thanks to the ash clouds and have been using Arsenal's training facilities to prepare for the finals. Like United, Barcelona wrapped up their league title with games to spare, so have had the opportunity to rest players. Fatigue is not an issue for them coming into this one.
Barcelona's form in the Champions League has been excellent, with the solitary loss coming at the Emirates when they lost to Arsenal. They made up for that at home with a 2 goal win, and have posted impressive wins in beating Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Madrid to get here.
Messi is obviously the one everyone will have their eyes on, but he will no doubt be marked here to prevent him adding to his already stupid goal tally of 52 (only in Spain, mate) Behind him, there are the likes of Iniesta, Busquets and Xavi and of course there is also David Villa who I am sure will feature too. Goals can come from anywhere and Manchester United will have their work cut out for them here against a team that is expert at keeping possession and frustrating their opponents.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Ferguson has won this trophy twice before and is looking to complete a double here, having already entered the record books by winning a 19th League title with his team. Manchester United have been amazing when playing at home, winning all but one in all competitions at Old Trafford. They are unbeaten in the Champions League coming into the finals but the stat that worries me is their away record.
Manchester United may be champions again but they did it while producing the worst away form by a team to lift the trophy. Away from home, they got beaten by Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, along with some shoddy results against teams that have been involved in the battle against relegation. The team let in way too many goals against teams like West Ham and Blackpool (although they did claw back to win) and that kind of start will mean curtains because Barcelona will not allow them to come back like that. To top it all off, Manchester United have already been to Wembley this year, where they got outclassed by Manchester City, who kept them off the scoresheet and knocked them out of the FA Cup. United are massive underdogs with good reason.
Berbatov and Owen are unlikely to play here as the front line will be spearheaded by Hernandez and Rooney. Hernandez has had a cracking first season, while Rooney put his early season woes behind him to finish the season in convincing form. However, like Messi, I reckon he will be marked heavily and I honestly don't think he will have a game to remember here.
BETTING VERDICT
You can get over evens for Barcelona and I reckon that is the best bet here. Manchester United have been unconvincing away from home time and again, and they will now face the best team in the world on a pitch they have already been beaten on.
For those that fancy a result for Manchester United, a bet on them with a +0.5AH start is the best option, as they might just manage a draw over 90 mins. Not for me though. I reckon Ferguson will have to wait to get a 3rd Champions League trophy.
The Pick :
Barcelona to win
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
Take Barcelona to win @ 2.05 (BetFred)
