quite possible i'll have a bet on it tomorrow. if you would have told me in August I can get United -1 -116 against a greek team in the CL KO stage I'd have all my chips in the middle of the table. But the inconsistency is driving me nuts...as bad as they were vs the Scousers and in first leg vs Greeks they were quite good both away to Palace and WBA. If Fergie as in charge this is a 5u bet for me on United but he's not in charge....
United vs Olympiakos
- nobody has to tell me how horrible we were in Greece or over the weekend vs Liverpool but bookies are still underestimating the talent gap between these two teams. There is a reason Olympiakos are 0-0-13 3/34 in England and why Greek teams are collectively 1-1-12 8/34 (1-0-8 5/22 L6 years) since 2005 vs English teams away. Fact is Olympiakos are the worst team left in the competition and while United have their backs against the wall I still have faith in Rooney, RVP, Mata, Januzaj to create some chances against a team that hasn't posted a road shutout against a top-5 league CL team in 10 years. As we saw on Sunday any hint of trouble (worst case early Oly away goal) and United will fold and probably commit about 4 penalties but if they can get things rolling early this is a 3-0 type of match with United winning both halves. Of course not much has gone to plan for us this year but I had no reason to think we would pull out 7 road points from Arsenal, Palace, and WBA but they did. Impossible team to figure out but I'll take the talent and the Old Trafford magic to move United on in CL play although likely just for another few weeks.
adding:
United 1H .47u to win .50u
Penalty awarded to either team YES .36u to win 1u
- nobody has to tell me how horrible we were in Greece or over the weekend vs Liverpool but bookies are still underestimating the talent gap between these two teams. There is a reason Olympiakos are 0-0-13 3/34 in England and why Greek teams are collectively 1-1-12 8/34 (1-0-8 5/22 L6 years) since 2005 vs English teams away. Fact is Olympiakos are the worst team left in the competition and while United have their backs against the wall I still have faith in Rooney, RVP, Mata, Januzaj to create some chances against a team that hasn't posted a road shutout against a top-5 league CL team in 10 years. As we saw on Sunday any hint of trouble (worst case early Oly away goal) and United will fold and probably commit about 4 penalties but if they can get things rolling early this is a 3-0 type of match with United winning both halves. Of course not much has gone to plan for us this year but I had no reason to think we would pull out 7 road points from Arsenal, Palace, and WBA but they did. Impossible team to figure out but I'll take the talent and the Old Trafford magic to move United on in CL play although likely just for another few weeks.
adding:
United 1H .47u to win .50u
Penalty awarded to either team YES .36u to win 1u
Europa League
4pm Porto at Napoli
Portuguese teams are 1-4-21 away in Italy with only win coming against Parma and Napoli are a totally different club at home where they've lost just one time in last 28 games. Napoli in very nice league spot pretty solidly in the Champions League play-in position 10 points ahead of Fiorentina so will go all-out here.
Napoli 1u to win .91u
2pm Spurs at Benfica:
Spurs traveled terrible club to Portugal so huge odds drop on Benfica but hard to see this Spurs lineup scoring a goal against defensive wizards like Benfica. They've allowed goals in b2b games but before that it was 15 shutouts in 16 games. big first leg advantage and if 0-0 at HT both teams will just play out the second 45 minutes without much interest. Worst case would be 1H Spurs goal then game could get crazy
Benfica/Tottenham under 2.75 1u to win .87u
1pm
AZ at Anzhi
- i don't really agree with "2" totals on 2nd legs in knockouts as things can get nutty in 2H if match plays out correctly. obviously if AZ score then Anzhi know they need 3 and if Anzhi go up 2-0 then AZ go all-out for a goal, etc, etc. crap weather in Ramenskoe (25 and snowing) so just small one
AZ/Anzhi over 2 .6u to win .5u
4pm Porto at Napoli
Portuguese teams are 1-4-21 away in Italy with only win coming against Parma and Napoli are a totally different club at home where they've lost just one time in last 28 games. Napoli in very nice league spot pretty solidly in the Champions League play-in position 10 points ahead of Fiorentina so will go all-out here.
Napoli 1u to win .91u
2pm Spurs at Benfica:
Spurs traveled terrible club to Portugal so huge odds drop on Benfica but hard to see this Spurs lineup scoring a goal against defensive wizards like Benfica. They've allowed goals in b2b games but before that it was 15 shutouts in 16 games. big first leg advantage and if 0-0 at HT both teams will just play out the second 45 minutes without much interest. Worst case would be 1H Spurs goal then game could get crazy
Benfica/Tottenham under 2.75 1u to win .87u
1pm
AZ at Anzhi
- i don't really agree with "2" totals on 2nd legs in knockouts as things can get nutty in 2H if match plays out correctly. obviously if AZ score then Anzhi know they need 3 and if Anzhi go up 2-0 then AZ go all-out for a goal, etc, etc. crap weather in Ramenskoe (25 and snowing) so just small one
AZ/Anzhi over 2 .6u to win .5u
