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Your best bets for the Champions League final

By Matt | May 26, 2009

APOLOGIES to fans of Chelsea, Everton and the FA Cup but the Champions League final brings the 2008/09 football season on Wednesday night as reigning champions Manchester United take on one of the finest footballing teams in the world in Barcelona.

Here’s A Cunning Punt’s betting tips for the biggest club football match in the world:

Angus
The odds available on Man U to win in 90 minutes are astounding as I think they’ve got the better all-round team. While Barça have some devastating attackers they could be weak at the back, especially at set pieces.

You can get odds of 17/10 on Man U at William Hill and I’ll be following up Matt’s successful tip from the weekend and betting five points on them.

Bernie
I agree this could be United’s night but I think it’ll be a close game. One goal could settle it, although the high stakes could mean a nil-nil draw. With that in mind I’ll be backing no goalscorer and getting odds of 8/1 at Blue Square. Stick me down for three points.

If you had a preference for a goalscorer, though, Paddy Power have some of the best prices around, including Wayne Rooney (8/1) and Nemanja Vidic (25/1), who could be dangerous from free kicks and corners. I’ll have a point on Vidic for that very reason.

Matt
It’s a Man U victory for me, too, although I disagree with Bernie about the closeness of the game. Barcelona have got some key players injured, especially in defence. What’s more, neither Eto’o or Messi has ever shone under pressure; and I think Man U could win easily. As such I’ll buy Man U supremacy at Sporting Index.

Both sides are currently trading at 0.1 to buy and -0.1 to sell in that market, which means that if you buy at £20 a goal you’ll win £18 if United win by one goal. You’ll get a further £20 for every further goal they win by.

Conversely, if Barça win, you’ll lose £22 if it’s by a single goal and a further £20 for every further £20 they lose by. It’s relatively risky compared to fixed-odds betting – stake a tenner on Rooney to score first and you won’t lose more than a tenner; if Man U lose by five you could be down a one-er – but there are big rewards to be had.

Selections
• 5 points Manchester United (17/10, William Hill) to beat Barcelona in 90 minutes
• 3 points no goalscorer (8/1, Blue Square)
• 1 point Nemanja Vidic to score first goal (25/1, Paddy Power)
• Buy Man U supremacy at 10 points a point (+0.1, Sporting Index)

Don’t forget to check out our free spread betting guide for more insight into spread betting.

Topics: Football betting No Comments »