English FA CUP
2007-05-19 - Chelsea vs Manchester U
A Sports Betting Pick by Simon Noble
The 2007 FA Cup final provides Chelsea with a chance to avenge the loss of their Premiership title North to Old Trafford, while for United it would crown a glorious domestic double.The grudge match also has the status of being the first competitive game played at the brand new Wembley, finally ready for action after numerous embarrassing delays.
Wrapping Finally Comes Off New Wembley
Traditionally the final act of the English football season, the FA Cup final is a truly global event, the biggest single game outside of the World Cup final, beamed to half a billion people in 160 countries.Both sides will have representatives from the four corners of the earth, but significant contributions are expected from Chelsea’s Ivorian striker, Didier Drogba, and Man United’s Portuguese winger, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The FA Cup is the only piece of domestic silverware Jose Mourinho has never won, but in his quest for success the Special One will be without Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko.
Ballack and Sheva were his two biggest summer signings but may have, after just one disappointing season, already played their last game for the club.
It has been a long campaign for both sides, but Chelsea in particular have looked heavy legged in recent weeks. They have won just once in six a game period that has seen both the Champions League and Premiership slip from their grasp.
Alex Ferguson is looking for his sixth triumphant trip up the famous (but refashioned) Wembley staircase, with his side in buoyant mood, having proudly paraded the Premiership trophy around Old Trafford last Saturday.
The Red Devils have however, won just one of the last ten meetings of the two sides. They also lost their last big FA Cup showdown final against Arsenal in 2005 final on penalties after dominating a goalless draw.
This is the first time in Premiership history that the league’s top two teams have faced each other in the FA Cup final.
Victory for United would make them undisputed champions of English football, while a Chelsea win might suggest the Premiership trophy is just on loan.
RECENT CLASHES
09.05.2007 - League - Chelsea v Man Utd 0:0 (D)
26.11.2006 - League - Man Utd v Chelsea 1:1 (D)
29.04.2006 - League - Chelsea v Man Utd 3:0 (W Chelsea)
06.11.2005 - League - Man Utd v Chelsea 1:0 (W United)
10.05.2005 - League - Man Utd v Chelsea 1:3 (W Chelsea)
26.01.2005 - Carling - Man Utd v Chelsea 1:2 (W Chelsea)
12.01.2005 - Carling - Chelsea v Man Utd 0:0 (D)
15.08.2004 - League - Chelsea v Man Utd 1:0 (W Chelsea)
08.05.2004 - League - Man Utd v Chelsea 1:1 (D)
30.11.2003 - League - Chelsea v Man Utd 1:0 (W Chelsea)
THE VERDICT
There is little to choose between the two sides, but while Chelsea might have a statistical edge it seems to me that the pendulum has swung in United's favour this season.
There will not be much in this game, and I think that despite the media hype this game will be a dour affair for much of the match.
I'll take United to win it with a second half goal.
The Pick :
Chelsea 0-1 Manchester United
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take MANCHESTER UNITED to win the cup and complete a domestic double.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Leading online sportsbook PinnacleSports.com can hardly separate the Premiership heavyweights pricing Chelsea as slim favourites 1.943, with Man Utd 1.980, in a market priced to c102%.
