Monthly Archives: May 2011

Relegation fight tops the bill

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Relegation issues take centre stage in most of Saturday’s six Premier League games, with both West Ham and Wigan Athletic hoping to climb out of the bottom three.

The Hammers face Blackburn Rovers in a must-win clash at Upton Park, with the visitors still in danger themselves as they are only three points above the drop zone.

Avram Grant’s hosts are 5/6 to gain three points that are an absolute necessity if they are to have any realistic chance of escaping the drop, with Blackburn 3/1 to secure a victory that would ease their own relegation fears greatly.

The outcome could well hinge on whether key duo Scott Parker and Matthew Upson pass fitness tests to feature for the home side, with the former having been an inspiration for his side all season.

Wigan’s task looks a little harder on paper as they travel to improving Aston Villa, who have all but banished their own relegation fears in recent weeks.

Again injury problems could have a major bearing on the result at Villa Park, with winger Charles N’Zogbia (dead leg) still doubtful for the Latics, with his skill and trickery a crucial factor if Wigan are to head home with anything to show for their efforts.

However, they head to the West Midlands buoyed by the knowledge that they have not lost in five Premier League visits to Villa Park.

The Latics have conceded just one goal in those five games, so don’t write them off just yet and they are 16/5 to keep a clean sheet when it really matters.

Blackpool will take to the field against Spurs already aware of the results that West Ham and Wigan have gained earlier in the day and that could heap even more pressure on Ian Holloway’s misfiring side.

A run of four consecutive home games should have provided a platform for the Seasiders to move towards safety, but having taken just two points from those games, they now need to shine in much more difficult fixtures.

The trip to White Hart Lane doesn’t look very appealing for Pool, with the hosts still holding out hopes of a top-four finish and a return to the Champions league and the visitors are 8/1 to gain a shock victory and 4/1 to even manage to secure a point.

Birmingham City are not entirely safe and a trip to Newcastle United is nothing like the guaranteed three points which Alex McLeish’s side require to ensure top-flight survival.

Earlier this season the Magpies won 2-0 at St Andrew’s and Alan Pardew’s men have reached mid-table security since then, despite the January sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool.

They seem unlikely to give up three points without a fight and with the Blues having only scored 35 goals in 35 games this season, a draw, available at 9/4, looks like being the final result.

Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland meet at the Reebok Stadium in a match which has very little riding on it and given the Black Cats’ striker injury crisis, the home side should be confident of earning a win (Bolton 4/5, draw 5/2, Sunderland 16/5).

At Goodison Park Everton play host to Manchester City, who are now all but certain of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time.

However, the Toffees have been in fine form in recent weeks and have won six of their last seven meetings with the Citizens and are good value at 7/1 to win 1-0 this weekend.

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Milan out to secure title

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The leagues throughout Europe are reaching their climax and AC Milan have the chance to sew up their first Serie A title since 2004 when they travel to Roma on Saturday night.

The Rossoneri lie eight points clear with just three games to go and it appears to be simply a matter of when and not if the Milan giants secure their 18th league title.

Massimiliano Allegri’s men need just a point to secure the title and should be able to get it at the first opportunity, given their excellent run of form and strong defensive performances of late.

Milan have not triumphed at the Stadio Olimpico since 2005 but at 9/5 in the match betting, an away win cannot be ruled as the 1-0 win over Bologna last weekend was the club’s fifth consecutive win – their best run of form for 18 months.

Allegri is also able to welcome back a clutch of stars for the Rome trip, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mark van Bommel from suspension, Alexandre Pato from a thigh strain and Gennaro Gattuso from a muscle problem.

The champions-elect have also been solid at the back and kept four clean sheets in the last five games, while they have only been beaten twice on the road this term.

Roma have turned the corner with three wins in the last four games to keep alive their hopes of Champions League qualification, and they are the 7/5 favourites in the match betting to make home advantage count.

Francesco Totti is always worth considering in the goalscoring markets and is 11/2 to score First/Last and 13/8 Anytime, and is obviously in fine form having notched nine of his club’s last 12 goals to take his tally for the season to 14.

However, one might argue that there is an over-reliance from the Giallorossi on their talisman and if Milan can shackle the World Cup winner then it becomes difficult to see where Roma will profit.

Vincenzo Montella’s men managed to take the three points in the reverse fixture at the San Siro but the onus is on them to do the attacking this time as a draw for Milan will secure the the title.

Milan’s defence though should be up to the task, given the fact that Roma will also be without Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta so the 9/4 available on the draw seems the sensible option.

Udinese take on Lazio on Sunday in a key game in terms of Champions League qualification and neither side will go in to the fixture in the best of nick.

The Zebrete are in their worse run of form since the start of the season and have slipped to sixth in the table, with their defence leaking 12 goals in the last five games.

By contrast, Lazio have managed to score 10 in the same period but have won only two and lost three of those games.

Both teams have selection problems ahead of the match but at 11/5 in the match betting, it is worth taking the capital outfit to cement their place in the top four.

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5 bets for the weekend

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It’s another bumper weekend of sporting action ahead, with defining matches and races across the board. We’ve taken a look at the five bets for you to mull over ahead of this coming May weekend…….

1 – Hammers can give themselves hope
West Ham start the weekend bottom of the Premier League and have to win against fellow strugglers Blackburn to stand any chance of survival. The Hammers come into the game off the back of five straight defeats, but there have been signs of improvement.

A 3-0 loss at Chelsea was a harsh scoreline and Avram Grant’s men were unfortunate to lose at Manchester City last weekend, having been made to pay for two early errors. Grant will have his fingers crossed that key man Scott Parker passes a fitness test to play.

Blackburn have only won three times away from Ewood Park this season and their lack of goals could see them dragged further into the relegation battle.

West Hamto win @ 5/6

2 – Vettel to bounce back in Turkey
Lewis Hamilton gave hope to those eyeing a McLaren success in this season’s Formula One campaign, but Red bull are likely to respond in Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix.

Having won the opening two races, Sebastian Vettel had to settle for second in China last time out but the Istanbul track looks likely to suit the speed of the Red Bulls. Hamilton won in turkey last year, but only due to the fact that Vettel and team-mate Mark Webber collided on lap 40.

Vettel to win Turkish Grand Prix @ 5/4

3 – Bees can secure league survival
Barnet go into the final weekend of the League Two season knowing they have to win to stand any chance of staying in the Football League. The Bees will be on home soil and the need to win is likely to see them overturn Port Vale.

The Underhill outfit are two points from safety but a win, coupled with Lincoln failing to beat Aldershot, will see them survive. The Bees have won three of their last six league games, while Lincoln have not won in ten matches…..it could go to the wire.

Barnet to beat Port Vale @ 20/21

4 – Palace can make Forest sweat
Nottingham Forest should be celebrating a play-off place following Saturday’s final Championship regular season matches, but could suffer a final day defeat.

With a three point lead and a six-goal better goal difference to their nearest rivals Leeds, Billy Davies’ men look a safe bet to finish in the top six. But having all but sealed their position, may find it hard to raise their game against a resurgent Palace side.

The Eagles have lost just one of their last five games, securing their place in the division for next season, and have lost just five games at home all season.

Palace to win @ 11/4

5 – Hurricane can blow away Lingfield rivals
Lingfield Park hosts a Derby trial on Saturday, with seven runners due to go to post for the 1m 3f contest. Hurricane Higgins looks set to run a big race as the colt goes for back-to-back wins.
The Mark Johnston-trained charge impressed over a similar trip at Lingfield in January, winning by four lengths on the all-weather. This time around it’s on the turf, but the three-year-old should be challenging under the guidance of Joe Fanning.

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Benfica set fair for Dublin date

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Dublin looks certain to be hosting a strong Portuguese contingent come the Europa League final on May 18, with the two protagonists set to be determined on Thursday in the semi-final second legs.

Porto arguably look to be already there, having beaten Spanish side Villarreal 5-1 at the Estadio do Dragao last week and they are the 4/9 favourites in the tournament outright betting, but there is still plenty to play for in the clash when Braga host Benfica in the first all-Portuguese tie in UEFA club competition.

Benfica hold the edge after a 2-1 win at the Estadio da Luz last Thursday, thanks to goals from Jardel and Oscar Cardozo, and are slight favourites at 8/5 to win the return leg, with the home side on offer at 17/10 and the draw at 9/4.

The omens perhaps do not look good for the Eagles after winning the home leg of their quarter-final last year, only to lose the return leg at Anfield to Liverpool 4-1.

The Primeira Liga fixture at the AXA Stadium did yield a 2-1 win for the home side (9/1 for a repeat scoreline) and that of course would mean extra time, although Benfica have won 31 times at Braga in all league and cup fixtures.

The away goal that Braga achieved has given them an initial advantage, which might suit the ‘Arsenalists’ given the fact they have scored just five goals in seven games since entering the competition at the round of the 32, although conceding a mere four goals in the process.

By contrast, Benfica have registered three times as many goals in the same period, although they have let in seven.

Of course, Benfica do not have to win the game to go through but they have the firepower to get on the scoresheet with Oscar Cardozo (11/2 First/last and 13/8 Anytime Goalscorer) an obvious candidate after notching four in seven games in the competition.

Braga have yet to concede a home goal in the competition but Benfica are expected to have enough to book their progression, with a draw very much to their benefit.

The other semi-final second leg is less in the balance of course and the outcome may well depend on team selection, as Porto (9/5 to win at El Madrigal) go into the match with a 5-1 lead.

The Dragons have already wrapped up their domestic league title and with such a big cushion, may opt to rest some of their key stars with the final in mind.

One would have to expect some sort of response from Villarreal (7/5 f match betting), who actually took the lead in Portugal, but this tie looks beyond them after suffering their worst defeat in European competition – and they could renew their focus on the race for third place in La Liga.

Porto have now won five on the bounce in the competition, scoring five in each of their last three games – so there should be plenty of entertainment for the watching world and goals look to be on the cards with over 2.5 priced at 8/13.

And after his four-goal salvo in the first leg, it would be foolish to overlook Radamel Falcao in the scoring markets, and he is on offer at 7/1 to score two or more.

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Hoops to run rings round Caley

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon this week claimed he hated failure and would be disappointed if his side didn’t end the season with any silverware. That has no doubt heaped the pressure on his Hoops side ahead of their must-win trip to Inverness on Wednesday night.

Victory for the Bhoys will see them go two points clear at the top of the SPL with three matches to go. However, if recent performances are anything to go by Celtic will be as cool as a cucumber in the Highlands and roll over a Caley side that have hardly been pulling up trees recently. We preview what could be the SPL title decider.

Who would have thought that after the debacle that was Tony Mowbray last season that the relatively inexperienced Lennon would be able to step up and take the reigns as easily as he has. The former Celtic player made wholesale changes to his team in the summer, much like Mowbray had done the year before. But while Mowbray fell flat on his face Lennon has got his team humming.

After a bit of a sticky start to his time in charge – especially in Europe – Lennon has thrived as Celtic manager and his team are on course to wrestle the title away from Rangers for the first time in three seasons. The Hoops brand of attacking and attractive football has been a breath of fresh air after watching the Gers grind out the title in recent seasons. The signings of Emilio Izaguirre, Baram Kayal and Daniel Majstrovic have proven to be inspired. But the piece de resistance has been Kris Commons’ January arrival.  The Scotland international has 10 goals in 17 appearances for the Hoops and shouldn’t be overlooked to enhance his reputation again on Wednesday night.

Celtic head to the Highlands in probably their best run of form this season, avoiding defeat in their last 23 league matches. Sunday’s 4-1 thrashing of Dundee United was the perfect response to Rangers 5-0 mauling of Motherwell. While Inverness have written some unforgettable headlines against Celtic in the past recent results have gone the way of the men from Glasgow. Celtic have won six of the last eight meetings and the Hoops have already won twice at the Caledonian Stadium this season in the league and Scottish Cup.

Celtic are 3/10 to pick up three points on Wednesday, while Inverness are priced at 10/1 to win, with the draw on at 4/1.  A quick look at Caley’s home form this season will explain why they are such a big price to win on their own patch. Terry Butcher’s men have won just four out of 16 matches at home, with their last win in the Highlands way back at the start of March. Butcher slammed his team’s performance after a 1-0 lost at Aberdeen on Saturday and Caley’s season looks as though it is going to peter out.

While Inverness are unlikely to be hammered on their own patch they don’t have a strike force which will trouble Celtic’s rock solid defence. The Hoops have conceded just eight goals away from Parkhead in the league and look a good bet to keep a clean sheet, which is on at evens with Totesport. You can also backed Celtic to win to nil at 5/6.

Whatever happens on Wednesday night it will be a season-defining result we get from Inverness.

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United to finish the job

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Manchester United take on Schalke in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday with a two-goal advantage. Progression to the final looks a mere formality but could there be a late twist in the tie?

United have shown only glimpses of their best form this season but they hit the heights in no uncertain terms against the Germans in the first leg last week and, but for Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer, could have doubled their goal tally at the Veltins-Arena.

Their passing and movement off the ball was as good as it has ever been and the only disappointing factor on the night was the number of chances that went begging.

But far from building on that success, the Red Devils went and lost to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium to allow Chelsea back into the Premier League title race.

Will that reverse affect them at all on Wednesday? Probably not, as Sir Alex Ferguson will no doubt try to drum into his charges that this is a totally different kettle of fish and they hold all the aces thanks to the two goals scored in Gelsenkirchen.

A United performance anywhere near the quality of last week’s away-leg showing and Schalke will be blown away, but it has to be remembered that the Bundesliga side did put five goals past Inter Milan at the San Siro in the quarter-finals (United 4/9 to beat Schalke).

It is open to question whether or not they could ever repeat that performance, and how good Inter actually are, but Fergie will take no chances and will look to go for the jugular with a couple of early goals at Old Trafford.

The Scot would love to kill off the contest by half-time in order for him to rest some key players ahead of what has now become the most important Premier League game of the season when Chelsea come calling on Sunday.

Conversely, Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping that Schalke can do them a favour and stretch the tie out for as long as possible.

It is likely that Wayne Rooney will partner Javier Hernandez once more up front, as the pair ripped the Schalke rearguard to pieces seven days ago, but Dimitar Berbatov will probably see some action if there are early goals after recovering from injury.

The Germans will need to score early to have any chance of rescuing the tie and it is almost inconceivable that the hosts will not put at least one in the back of the net, making an already difficult task virtually impossible for Ralf Rangnick’s side.

But, being German, Schalke will never give up and surely they cannot play as badly as they did on their own patch last week?

United still have plenty to play for this season and will want to put down a marker for the final if, as seems likely, they go on to face Barcelona, and will be looking for a solid display with no slip-ups at the Theatre of Dreams (Barcelona 8/15 to win Champions League).

One defeat will not cause panic in the ranks, as they have been in pressure situations before on numerous occasions both domestically and in Europe, and what better way is there to bounce back from defeat to the Gunners than putting on another scintillating display to show the world just how good they actually are.

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Five weekend lessons

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Another amazing weekend of sporting action has come and gone and it is time to take stock of the action and assess what we have learnt from the action over the past couple of days.

1. The title race is far from over

Chelsea were all but written off as title contenders three months ago and there were even question marks over their Champions League prospects for next term.

But they have turned things around and are now within touching distance of Manchester United. Both the Red Devils and Arsenal have shown frailties in recent times but the Gunners’ victory on Sunday might well have given the Blues the opportunity to take the title – if they can beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges next weekend.

Arsenal may have gone yet another season without any silverware but their victory at the Emirates could have gone a long way in determining where the Premier League trophy ends up this season – and that will certainly put a smile back on Arsene Wenger’s face (United 2/9 to win Premier League title).

2. Neil Warnock will just not go away

Love him or hate him, Warnock will be back in the Premier League with Queens Park Rangers after their 2-0 victory over Watford sealed promotion to the top flight.

Although off-field issues might still provide a twist this season, it appears as though the Loftus Road outfit have ended their16-year wait to return to England’s top division.

And nobody can say they did not deserve it as they have been in the top two all season and would have gained promotion a few weeks ago but for three successive draws.

Warnock has managed just one season in the Premier League and suffered relegation with Sheffield United four years ago, with West Ham controversially staying up in their place after avoiding a points deduction despite falling foul of the league rules on player acquisition.

Controversy seems to follow Warnock around and, if they do go up, there is sure to be plenty more next season in west London, as Rangers face the inevitable battle to stay in the top division.

3. No-one wants to stay up

With just three games to go there are realistically still six clubs battling for Premier League survival although Sunderland, Newcastle and Aston Villa could still mathematically go down.

Blackburn’s victory over Bolton has seen them move three points clear of the drop zone but the other sides involved just cannot win a game.

Blackpool, Wigan, Wolves and West Ham have virtually the same goal difference and it seems increasingly likely that it will be a factor when the dust settles on the campaign.

All the respective managers at the foot of the table keep harping on about how many points they need to be safe – the trouble is, none of them appear capable of getting them (West Ham 2/7 to be relegated).

4. Liverpool will challenge next season

It seemed inconceivable that Liverpool would be in with a shout of playing European football next season when they languished near the foot of the table under Roy Hodgson, but Kenny Dalglish has galvanised the side and the key signing of Luis Suarez has turned the Reds back into contenders.

Sunday’s victory over Newcastle pushed the Merseysiders up into fifth with an excellent chance of making the Europa League next term.

Whether or not they want to play in the second-tier European competition is open to question, as the Anfield outfit will doubtless be pushing for a top-four finish nest season and will want to concentrate their efforts on domestic matters.

5. Lee Westwood deserves to be world number one

Many pundits have questioned the relevance of the golf world rankings when a man who has yet to win major sits at the top of the standings.

Westwood has always maintained that majors and the rankings and not connected and a player’s ranking reflects his consistency over a period of time.

The Worksop-born star has a valid point and back-to-back victories in Indonesia and South Korea prove that he is well worth his place.

The 38-year-old has been the model of consistency over the past two years and has come close in a number of majors, and surely it is only a matter of time before he wins one? (Westwood 10/1 to win Open Championship).

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Barcelona set to capitalise

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Last Wednesday’s first-leg clash promised lots and delivered little in terms of football between two giants of the game, but Barcelona took a stranglehold of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid thanks to the brilliance of Lionel Messi and they are strong 8/15 favourites to go all the way.

Most of the talking points generated from the ill-tempered clash have been about everything but football, with disciplinary action to be taken against both clubs and accusations flying about from all quarters – which if nothing else will stoke up the fires even further ahead of the return clash at the Nou Camp.

Staying with matters on the pitch, Messi, who had opened the scoring, demonstrated exactly why he is the best player in the world with a scintillating second goal to secure an away-goal cushion, and is an obvious candidate in the goalscoring markets (10/3 First/Last, 8/11 Anytime and 9/2 to score 2 or more).

There have been three recent ‘Clasicos’, with honours even in those encounters, but this final derby of the season for the pair could see an entirely different game.

Ten-man Real managed to snatch a point in La Liga at the Bernabeu before securing their first trophy under Jose Mourinho with a 1-0 win in the Copa del Rey final after extra-time in the Mestalla.

Real had managed to stifle the Catalans for much of the game last week back in Madrid but the controversial sending off of Pepe – Mourinho was sent to the stands over the same incident – opened the door for Barca, who took full advantage.

Pep Guardiola’s men only know how to play one way and the playmakers should be given more room to manoeuvre, with the onus on Real to attack, and are understandable 8/13 favourites in the match betting, with 21/5 on offer for an away win and the draw available at 3/1.

The capital club need to win and will have to be more adventurous in Catalonia to stand any chance of booking their appearance at Wembley, which can leave a defence without Sergio Ramos and Pepe exposed to the skills of Messi, Xavi and David Villa.

Andres Iniesta, who missed the first leg through injury, is back in training with Barca and can add his undoubted talent to an already impressive line-up – and there should be goals in this one with Over 2.5 Goals priced at 8/13.

Barca routed their great rivals 5-0 in the Nou Camp clash earlier in the season, prompting a change of tactics from Mourinho in subsequent clashes, but for once Real might not be able to afford to have so many men behind the ball.

Any team that includes Cristiano Ronaldo amongst a galaxy of other stars has got to be capable of scoring, even at the Nou Camp, hence the 4/6 on Both Teams To Score, but no team has ever overturned a 2-0 home defeat in the latter stages of the competition.

No-one ‘out Barcelona’s’ Barcelona either and the home side, with the three best players on the planet (in the World Player of the Year voting) can land the 6/4 odds in the handicap betting (-1).

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Bluebirds and Canaries to soar

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Everybody knows two into one doesn’t go, but that is the situation facing Norwich City and Cardiff City heading into the last two matches of the Championship season. With QPR taking the first of two automatic promotion positions there is just one left to play for as the Canaries and Bluebirds prepare for their respective bank holiday Monday games.

Both clubs take on teams with nothing to play for in Portsmouth and Middlesbrough, and come Monday night you’d expect there to be still just a point separating the two promotion hopefuls. We preview both games and pick out the best bets in the Championship double header.

Cardiff v Middlesbrough (5:15pm)
The Welsh outfit have been on fire of late and if they don’t overhaul Norwich they will certainly be the favourites to erase the play-off heartache of last season. Five wins in the last six matches have seen the Bluebirds keep the pressure on Norwich, recovering from a mid-season slump which threatened to derail their automatic promotion hopes. Dave Jones’ men know they must not lose to take the promotion chase to the last day of the season and will be confident of taking apart a Boro side who are now safe from the drop.

Tony Mowbray has given the Teeside outfit a renewed sense of hope after Gordon Strachan’s disastrous time in charge, epitomised by their record of coming behind to win on eight separate occasions. Boro have lost just once in the last ten league matches but have an awful record at Cardiff, losing on their last six visits to the Welsh capital. The Bluebirds are 8/15 to pick up the win at home and having averaged two goals a game at the Cardiff City Stadium recently will be confident of picking up another three points. With that in mind the handicap market will be worth a look, especially if Jay Bothroyd, Craig Bellamy and Peter Whittingham all play.

Match bet - Cardiff to win @ 6/5 with a -1 handicap

Portsmouth v Norwich (7:45pm)
Two more wins and Norwich will be back in the big time just three seasons after being relegated to League One. The future at Carrow Road looked bleak when they dropped out of the Championship but under Paul Lambert the Canaries have been flying. The East Anglia outfit have won their last three matches, including last week’s dramatic stoppage time victory against Derby, which put QPR’s promotion party on hold for another week.

They travel to Portsmouth knowing that if Cardiff lose against Boro they can be promoted, and they will fancy their chances against a Pompey side who have been poor since making sure they will be in the Championship next season. Steve Cotterill’s men have one won of their last nine matches and some of their players look like they are already on the beach. With that in mind it might be worth looking at Totesport’s enhanced double, which is giving punters odds of 9/4 that both Norwich and Cardiff win. They are also offering 20/1 on Bothroyd of Cardiff and Grant Holt of Norwich both to score in their respective games.

While the Canaries do look nervous they should have enough in their locker to take care of Portsmouth, especially when you consider their last away game resulted in a 5-1 victory for Lambert’s men.

Match bet – Norwich to win @11/10

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Champions League semis could hot up

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After two sub-par semi-final first legs last week, the Champions League reconvenes with both games intriguingly balanced as two sides look to protect their leads while their opposition know they have nothing to lose.

Tuesday’s match sees old enemies Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in their fourth ‘el Clasico’ match in two weeks, with Madrid looking to the claw back the two-goal deficit they suffered in the first leg  at the Bernabeu.However, they have tasted victory against their great rivals in the last few weeks, securing their first trophy in three years with victory in the Copa Del Rey (Real 4/1 to win at the Nou Camp).

Jose Mourinho has traditionally set his teams up to defend against Barca but knows he will have to set his side up as an attacking force if they’re to progress to the final. This could make for a thrilling encounter with both sides playing with freedom and we could see a true classic.

Josep Guardiola’s side only know one way to play and, despite being two goals up, are unlikely to sit on their lead and will not be shy in taking the game to the Madridistas. Barca are undoubtedly the best footballing team in Europe with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta in their side and if Madrid do open up, they could simply pass it round them (Barca 8/15 to win the competition).

Whatever the outcome, it is sure to make for a fascinating encounter and could be talked about for years to come.

The second semi sees this year’s surprise package, German side Schalke, travel to Old Trafford to face 2008 Champions Manchester United knowing that they’ll need at least a two-goal victory if they’re to progress.

Die Konigsblauen have thrilled fans in this year’s competition with their free-flowing, exciting football with veteran Spanish striker Raul at the heartbeat of everything they do. Add this to the threat of wideman Jurado and the Brazilian Edu and they have the ability to trouble anyone.

United will have to be wary of the threat Schalke pose but, after a tame first leg, could possibly look to rest key players ahead of a difficult match with Chelsea next weekend, which could present the Germans with a number of unexpected opportunities (Schalke 14/1 to qualify for the final).

However, with the likes of Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia looking to return to the side, they will surely have enough to overcome their opponents and qualify for their third final in four years (United 6/4 to win the competition).

Whatever the outcome, both matches will undoubtedly be well worth watching and whoever gets through will be more than worth their place after another vintage Champions League season.

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