Champions League 2nd Leg: Manchester United vs. AC Milan
by Nila Amerova
Manchester United took the away win against AC Milan in the first leg, beating the Italians 3:2 at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. It is but a slender lead and Man U will have to find their formidable home form if they are to rubber stamp their ticket to the quarterfinals. David Beckham is back in town, but wearing AC Milan colours. His return will be a form of distraction to Red Devil fans and Sir Alex Fergusson’s men will have to mindful of that.
Man U were not as indomitable as they could have been in the group stage, taking only four points at the Old Trafford, surrendering their 23-match unbeaten home run in the UEFA Champions League to Besiktas JK. Ironically, the last foreign team to beat Man U at the Old Trafford was Milan in 2005. Milan arrive in Manchester full of confidence. They beat Real Madrid and Marseille on the away in group action, so it is not without their reach to mastermind the upset at the Old Trafford.
Champions League Soccer Betting Line
Manchester United -½ -145 -145 2½ O -115 U -105 1½ O -140 U +120 Draw +265
AC Milan +½ +125 +400 2½ O -115 U -105 1 O +110 U -130 Draw +265
Half Time Line:
Manchester United -½ +145 +145 1 O -105 U -115 Draw +120
AC Milan +½ -165 +315 1 O -105 U -115 Draw +120
To Score First: Manchester United -250 AC Milan +185
To Qualify: Manchester United-1400 AC Milan +650
Venue: Old Trafford
Match Time: 02:45 PM Eastern Time Wednesday March 10, 2009
Soccer Betting Verdict: Manchester United is trading at a solid favourite price, -45 to win outright. They are also overwhelmingly favoured at -1400 to advance into the quarterfinals. It seems the bookies are convinced the Red Devils are an almost certainty to win this tie. It is but a slim lead though so the prices don’t seem quite proportionate, especially on the futures market to advance. Having said that Man U are in good form lately (at the top of the table in domestic action now largely because of an impressive winning streak at the Old Trafford) and soccer punters could do no worse than backing Man U.
AC Milan should not be underestimated and they are not without hope in this tie. That they are +400 underdogs to win and even larger puppies in the futures market at +650 should not fool bettors into taking them lightly. There is value to be had in AC Milan, especially if you recall their impressive win over Real Madrid in group action.
Man U are listed at +145 to take the advantage into half time while AC Milan are trading at +315 to do the same. The Under 1 goal is the favoured outcome in the half-time market, suggesting that this will be a nervy match with no scoring in the first 45. Makes the draw look good at +120.
Man U are favoured at -250 to open scoring while AC Milan are trading at +185 to do the same. AC Milan opened the scoring in the first leg and they are the side that is behind, so logically, one would expect them to go on the attack first. Might make them the better play to open scoring at +185, no?
: This tie is in no way decided and soccer bettors should be cautious not to read too much into the market cast. AC Milan will definitely be in this match, more than the odds would suggest. There is value on them. If they start well and open scoring, we will have an entirely different ball game on our hands and at that point, it would be anybody’s game. Man U have been impressive at home, giving rhyme, and reason to their odds; but all it takes is 90 minutes of strong opposition to change that mark. Is AC Milan capable of masterminding what would be a huge upset in Champions League?
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