A lot of neutrals don’t like the idea of two teams from the same country facing each other in the knock-out rounds of the Champions League. It’s the old argument: they know each other so well from playing one another domestically that these games often tend to be rather monotonous and predictable affairs. Personally I don’t agree with that at all. Firstly, the beauty of the draw at this stage of the competition is that it’s pot luck and you can be pitted against anyone. That’s why we all love the FA Cup so much. And secondly, the Champions League, with its two-legged format, has its own unique nuances. The way the two managers approach the game is totally different to a one-off cup tie or a league match with the away goal all-important, especially in the first leg.
Back to the game though and I have to say it’s the hardest of any to call in a long time. Regular readers of my column will have heard me going on about how United have somehow managed to win matches without playing that well and on occasions have actually downright ridden their luck. The “non-sendings-off” of Gary Neville (at both West Brom and Stoke) and then again last Saturday when many thought Nemanja Vidic should have taken an early bath are proof of that. They say you make your own luck though and if there’s one thing United have done well it’s capitalise on any sort of opening their opponents have given them. You have to suspect, however, that Chelsea won’t be so charitable.
The Blues’ big-name transfer in January was of course Fernando Torres but few would argue the former Liverpool man has had anywhere near the same impact as David Luiz has. Sadly for Chelsea the Brazilian defender is cup-tied and Carlo Ancelotti will have to make do without the outstanding player Premier League player over the last month. It’s anyone’s guess as to who Ancelotti will play upfront in this match but the way things have been going, I’m not sure too many people would be surprised if Torres was the one who missed out.
This really is a toss of the coin as to who will go through but as I often say, the bigger the game the more home advantage counts and I’m backing Chelsea to take a narrow lead into the second leg. Will it be enough? We’ll have to wait and see!
Recommended Bets:
Back Chelsea to win at 2.2
Back Chelsea to win 1-0 at 7.4
Back under 2.5 goals at 1.67
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The World's Biggest Sports Betting Community
Back to the game though and I have to say it’s the hardest of any to call in a long time. Regular readers of my column will have heard me going on about how United have somehow managed to win matches without playing that well and on occasions have actually downright ridden their luck. The “non-sendings-off” of Gary Neville (at both West Brom and Stoke) and then again last Saturday when many thought Nemanja Vidic should have taken an early bath are proof of that. They say you make your own luck though and if there’s one thing United have done well it’s capitalise on any sort of opening their opponents have given them. You have to suspect, however, that Chelsea won’t be so charitable.
The Blues’ big-name transfer in January was of course Fernando Torres but few would argue the former Liverpool man has had anywhere near the same impact as David Luiz has. Sadly for Chelsea the Brazilian defender is cup-tied and Carlo Ancelotti will have to make do without the outstanding player Premier League player over the last month. It’s anyone’s guess as to who Ancelotti will play upfront in this match but the way things have been going, I’m not sure too many people would be surprised if Torres was the one who missed out.
This really is a toss of the coin as to who will go through but as I often say, the bigger the game the more home advantage counts and I’m backing Chelsea to take a narrow lead into the second leg. Will it be enough? We’ll have to wait and see!
Recommended Bets:
Back Chelsea to win at 2.2
Back Chelsea to win 1-0 at 7.4
Back under 2.5 goals at 1.67
Betfair
The World's Biggest Sports Betting Community
