Champions’ League Group A - CFR Cluj vs. Chelsea FC

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In Group A, two winners after the opening round, CFR Cluj and Chelsea FC, are set to meet on match day 2. CFR have already become the surprise package of the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League when the debutants sent seismic shockwaves at Stadio Olimpico, defeating the favoured home side, AS Roma, 2:1 in front of their adoring fans. CFR has had just a fortnight to savour their UEFA Champions League debut and they will welcome Chelsea FC at CFR Cluj-napoca with high hopes.

Chelsea FC, 2007/08 runners-up, could not have had a more charmed introduction to their Champions League campaign as they overwhelmed FC Girondins de Bordeaux 4:0 on match day 1. There can be no doubt about Coach Scolari and his squad’s Champions League intention: they want to win the most coveted cup in European soccer. From the onset, they made no mistake about positioning themselves as serious challengers.

Soccer Betting Line:

Match Time 02:45PM Eastern Time Wednesday October 1, 2008

CFR Cluj

Spread: +1 -105

Money Line +550

Total 2½ O -105 U -115

Draw +260

Chelsea FC

Spread -1 -115

Money Line -200

Total 2½ O -105 U -115

Draw+260

Soccer Betting Analysis:

CFR Cluj +550 – Although the hosts got off to a great start in their Champions League debut, serving a warning to their next opponents, Chelsea FC, of their serious intentions, the Romanian champions still enter match day 2 as the underdogs. The 2:1 win against AS Roma was one that few could have predicted. At the time, the Romanian side was tipped at a whopping +1400 price tag.

With only a UEFA Intertoto Cup final, a UEFA Cup second qualifying round appearance and limited international exposure on their resume previously, few can be surprised with the soccer betting line as it stands. So limited is their international experience that their opening round win could be a fluke. Chelsea FC will be CFR Cluj’s first competitive match against an English Premiership side. At +550 long odds, the bookies are giving CFR a slim chance of staving off Chelsea FC’s onslaught, even with a home patch edge.

Chelsea FC (-200) made a customary triumphant start to their Champions League campaign with a 4:0 blowout against Girondins de Bordeaux. The Londoners were runners-up last season and they in their opener they gave early notice of their intention to go a long way this season as well. In the run-up to the Champions League final, Chelsea FC suffered only one loss – in the quarterfinals against Fenerbahce SK (2:1 away).

Soccer Betting Verdict: Chelsea FC is the favourite and rightly so. The Londoners have one of the best coaches at the helm in Luiz Felipe Scolari. They have one of the best goalies in the world in Petr Cech and the depth of their bench is the envy of all soccer clubs. The soccer-betting trend is leaning towards a Chelsea FC win at -200.

Soccer Free Picks: Credit has to be given to the Romanian side for carving out the victory in an away match, against a prideful Italian side, and in their Champions League debut match no less. However, the consensus is they will be overwhelmed by the experience and quality of the English. Few bettors are willing to risk a bet on CFR Cluj (+550) on the basis that their opening win was a bit of a fluke. Now that the euphoria of hanging out with the big boys has settled, the question is whether they can follow-up with another winning performance. I guess the true measure of CFR Cluj capabilities will be determined in this match. If they win, this upset will upend the soccer betting markets and surpass their opening round triumph against AS Roma. At such tempting odds a small bet is warranted on the Romanian side, especially as they will try to dazzle before a partisan crowd. For naysayers a bet on the draw may be the way to go; at +260 it offers good value for the soccer bettor and is more realistic, in line with Chelsea FC’s enviable record in Champions League competition.

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room