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Reds narrow manager search

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Liverpool’s search for a new manager is continuing but the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, appear closer than ever to an appointment with Louis van Gaal (6/1 – Next Permanent Liverpool manager) and Roberto Martinez (6/5f) the two main men in the frame.

The Reds sacked club legend Kenny Dalglish last week following a disappointing Premier League campaign and immediately begun an exhaustive search for a new man.

Brendan Rodgers, Jurgen Klopp, Frank De Boer and, in the past 24 hours, Andre Villas-Boas (4/1) have all apparently been ruled out of the equation for a job that might look attractive but has so far failed to generate too much concrete interest.

Liverpool have been given permission to speak to Wigan boss Martinez but his current holiday has so far prevented the Spaniard from having an official interview, although that is likely to be forthcoming next week upon his return.

Latics owner Dave Whelan has said he wants a resolution to the situation within a week of his manager’s return on Tuesday and insists it is not a foregone conclusion Martinez will depart, amid ongoing interest from Aston Villa as well.

However, the former Swansea boss seems a good fit for Anfield, despite lukewarm appreciation of his talents from the Liverpool fans so far. He satisfies FSG’s edict of a young, hungry coach capable of building a lasting legacy and his attacking, attractive footballing philosophy is apparently exactly what John W Henry and co are after.

He has yet to be tested at a big club, though, and that remains the big risk in appointing the still relatively inexperienced 38-year-old. There is also a nagging fear that his impressive reputation may have been cultivated by a talkative Whelan, keen to ensure he secures a decent compensation figure when he does depart the DW when, in reality, he has struggled with relegation in consecutive seasons at Wigan.

So, while Martinez remains the clear favourite, perhaps the smart money should be on former Ajax, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Holland boss van Gaal getting the job.

If you believe the reports, Liverpool want him on board in a new Director of Football role but the 60-year-old is thought to be keen to take the manager’s job himself.

His CV is certainly impressive; winning the Dutch league three times with Ajax and once with AZ, the Spanish title twice while at Barca and the German Bundesliga once at Bayern. He also won the Champions League when in his native Holland in 1995 and has several domestic cups to his extensive honours list.

He is clearly a winner and has the credentials and also favours an attacking style of football, but his age may go against him in the final reckoning and the Director of Football position might not appeal if he wants the top job.

Outsiders at this stage include Rodgers (7/1), former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard (12/1) and ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez (16/1), who, despite holding plenty of fans’ support, is nowhere near even being considered it seems.

FSG are edging closer to an appointment, then, but it could still take a couple of weeks before the new man, charged with no less than getting the Reds back into top four next term, is known.

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Reds’ search for new man narrows

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Liverpool’s search for a new manager is continuing but the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, appear closer than ever to an appointment with Louis van Gaal (6/1 – Next Permanent Liverpool manager) and Roberto Martinez (6/5f) the two main men in the frame.

The Reds sacked club legend Kenny Dalglish last week following a disappointing Premier League campaign and immediately begun an exhaustive search for a new man.

Brendan Rodgers, Jurgen Klopp, Frank De Boer and, in the past 24 hours, Andre Villas-Boas (4/1) have all apparently been ruled out of the equation for a job that might look attractive but has so far failed to generate too much concrete interest.

Liverpool have been given permission to speak to Wigan boss Martinez but his current holiday has so far prevented the Spaniard from having an official interview, although that is likely to be forthcoming next week upon his return.

Latics owner Dave Whelan has said he wants a resolution to the situation within a week of his manager’s return on Tuesday and insists it is not a foregone conclusion Martinez will depart, amid ongoing interest from Aston Villa as well.

However, the former Swansea boss seems a good fit for Anfield, despite lukewarm appreciation of his talents from the Liverpool fans so far. He satisfies FSG’s edict of a young, hungry coach capable of building a lasting legacy and his attacking, attractive footballing philosophy is apparently exactly what John W Henry and co are after.

He has yet to be tested at a big club, though, and that remains the big risk in appointing the still relatively inexperienced 38-year-old. There is also a nagging fear that his impressive reputation may have been cultivated by a talkative Whelan, keen to ensure he secures a decent compensation figure when he does depart the DW when, in reality, he has struggled with relegation in consecutive seasons at Wigan.

So, while Martinez remains the clear favourite, perhaps the smart money should be on former Ajax, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Holland boss van Gaal getting the job.

If you believe the reports, Liverpool want him on board in a new Director of Football role but the 60-year-old is thought to be keen to take the manager’s job himself.

His CV is certainly impressive; winning the Dutch league three times with Ajax and once with AZ, the Spanish title twice while at Barca and the German Bundesliga once at Bayern. He also won the Champions League when in his native Holland in 1995 and has several domestic cups to his extensive honours list.

He is clearly a winner and has the credentials and also favours an attacking style of football, but his age may go against him in the final reckoning and the Director of Football position might not appeal if he wants the top job.

Outsiders at this stage include Rodgers (7/1), former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard (12/1) and ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez (16/1), who, despite holding plenty of fans’ support, is nowhere near even being considered it seems.

FSG are edging closer to an appointment, then, but it could still take a couple of weeks before the new man, charged with no less than getting the Reds back into top four next term, is known.

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Can Spain reign without Villa?

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Reigning champions and 5/2 favourites Spain have been dealt a huge blow with the news star striker David Villa will miss this summer’s European Championship.

The Barcelona forward suffered a fractured tibia in December and has been sidelined since.

Vicente del Bosque had stated he would give Villa every chance to prove his fitness but the Spain coach, who will name his 23-man squad on Sunday, has now confirmed the striker will not be heading to Poland and Ukraine.

A Spanish Football Federation statement said: “David Villa spoke with Del Bosque, who relayed that although it was Villa’s wish to be with the team in Poland and Ukraine, that his physical state was ‘not as good’ as would be desirable.”

Villa’s goals were crucial for Spain in their Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 successes.  The former Valencia man was the top scorer in 2008 and joint top scorer in 2010, narrowly missing out on the golden boot to Germany’s Thomas Muller, who had more assists.

It remains to be seen if Spain can be as dominant as they have been in recent years without Villa’s goals, but they have plenty of quality in other areas and other forwards who could step up and shoulder the goal scoring responsibility.

Chelsea’s Fernando Torres had been considered a doubt for selection after a disappointing campaign at Stamford Bridge but Del Bosque could hand the former Atletico Madrid frontman a place in his 23-man squad with Villa unavailable.  Torres appeared to be recapturing his form towards the end of the season and could view an international competition as a chance to re-establish himself as one of the most feared marksmen in the world.

Torres’ lack of action at club level could be of benefit to Spain, as he will not be suffering the same kind of fatigue other players who have played regularly over the season will be feeling and the Chelsea man can be backed at 20/1 to be the top scorer at Euro 2012.

Another man who could step up and fill the void left by Villa is Athletic Bilbao forward Fernando Lorente, who has seven goals in 20 caps to date and impressed for Bilbao this season as they reached the Europa League final.  Lorente, who is 16/1 to be the top scorer at Euro 2012, is a different type of forward to Villa and Spain may have to adapt their style to get the best out of the Bilbao star, but he is certainly a world class striker who is more than capable of firing Spain to glory at Euro 2012.

Other options include Barcelona’s Pedro, Atletico Madrid’s Adrian and Valencia’s Roberto Soldado, who has enjoyed a fantastic campaign at the Mestalla and has three goals in three Spanish caps to date.

Adrian is yet to receive a call up for the Spain squad, having represented them at youth level, but he has been included in the squad for their friendly fixtures against Serbia and South Korea ahead of Euro 2012, as has Soldado, Torres and Sevilla’s Álvaro Negredo, who has five goals in seven caps to date.

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Drogba exit leaves gaping hole at Chelsea

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Chelsea have confirmed their Champions League hero Didier Drogba is leaving the club which, on top of speculation regarding interim boss Roberto Di Matteo and signs of unrest from Fernando Torres, all means it promises to be a busy summer around Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 9/2 – Premier League Outright 2012/13).

It could be said simply that Chelsea would not have won the Champions League on Saturday without Drogba. Adding to the fact it was his goal that beat Barcelona in the first leg at Stamford Bridge in the semi-final before he converted to quite an impressive left-back for long periods of the second leg, it was also Drogba who scored a wonderful header to force extra-time in Munich, and who else but the Ivorian stroked in the winning penalty to send Chelsea fans into delirium and give Roman Abramovich what he has always desired.

That Champions League win, courtesy of Drogba’s right foot from 12 yards, has led every man and his dog to call for Di Matteo, who took over after Andre Villas-Boas (11/4 – Next Permanent Liverpool Manager) was shown the door, to be given the manager’s job properly at Chelsea.

It would be a bold move for the Russian chairman to look elsewhere given the calls for the Italian to get the job. A more realistic vision could be for Di Matteo to get a one-year rolling contract, which means that in 12 months’ time Chelsea could welcome former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola with open arms if he wants to make a comeback to football following his self-imposed sabbatical.

With Drogba, who himself has been linked with a possible move to Barcelona but could be more likely for a big pay day over with former Blues striking partner Nicolas Anelka in China, going then that could open the door for Torres.

There is no doubt the Spaniard has looked a shadow of his former self since a massive £50 million move but the Chelsea fans have stuck with him as he got his head down and worked hard for the team. Indeed, his form really picked up towards the back end of the season.

But it remains to be seen how faithful they will be to him now after Torres effectively soured the Champions League celebrations by speaking out to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague and criticising how he has been treated.

Torres may wish he had kept his mouth shut as there remains a big chance the team could be fitted around him in the post-Drogba era – if they persevere with him after his outburst.

With the Ivory Coast man leaving that means Torres and Daniel Sturridge, who looked impressive in the first half of the season but then went off the boil and seemed to turn more selfish and frustrating for fans as the campaign went on, remain the leading forwards on the books at Stamford Bridge. And let’s not forget Romelu Lukaku, who made a sum total of eight appearances since signing for £13 million last summer.

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao and CSKA Moscow’s Seydou Doumbia have been linked to possibly replace Drogba but it remains to be seen how Chelsea’s transfer policy will play out until they confirm a new manager – although they do have a history of signing players without consulting the boss – Andrei Shevchenko springs to mind – and those higher up have seemed to be behind the signings of Marko Marin and Kevin De Bruyne over the last few months.

Chelsea used to be the big powerhouses when it comes to spending but Manchester City (11/8 – Premier League Outright 2012/13) have leapfrogged them over the last two years, and how the Blues would love to be able to splash out on a Sergio Aguero this summer.

They would also dream of someone of the calibre of Arsenal (10/1 – Premier League Outright) striker Robin van Persie, but the Blues will face massive competition if they wish to get a top, top striker. The fact they are Champions League holders will help them when it comes to attracting players this summer, but it would be a masterstroke to get a true replacement for Drogba.

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High hopes for Holland

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Holland will travel to Euro 2012 desperate to make amends for their extra-time World Cup final defeat to Spain two years ago and there is no doubt they have enough technically gifted players to make a real impression in Poland and Ukraine.

The 1998 European champions breezed through their qualifying campaign, winning nine and drawing one of their 10 fixtures to finish three points clear of Sweden at the summit.

However, it pays to note that their group contained the likes of San Marino and Moldova, making it difficult to assess the true condition of Bert van Marwijk’s side.

Their run to the 2010 World Cup final should be considered a triumph, even if their aggressive tactics were often criticised, as prior to that they had earned a reputation for freezing in the latter stages of major tournaments – as three semi-final defeats from their last five international competitions will testify.

The squad still contains the similar names we saw reach the final in South Africa, with the likes of Arjen Robben, Nigel de Jong and veteran Mark van Bommel all poised to pull on the famous orange shirt once more.

They have a solid, experienced and talented spine, with goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg well shielded by defenders Johnny Heitinga and Joris Mathijsen.

De Jong and van Bommel then provide further protection in midfield, allowing the likes of Robben, Wesley Snejider and Rafael van der Vaart time and space to feed the strikers.

And it is up front where Holland’s hopes rest. They smashed home 37 goals in their qualifying games with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar top-scoring with 12 (Huntelaar 20/1 – Euro 2012 top scorer), while Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie scored six each.

Their key man is undoubtedly van Persie. The 28-year-old enjoyed a memorable season in the Premier League with Arsenal, scoring 37 goals in all competitions and picking up the English PFA Player of the Year Award.

Van Persie is currently priced as the 10/1 second favourite to be top scorer at the tournament, with a van Persie/Holland double priced at a generous 20/1.

If he can transfer his form from the Emirates Stadium to eastern Europe, then the Oranje will take some stopping. However, you should also remember that the draw made in December was not particularly kind to van Persie and co, with Germany, Portugal and Denmark placed alongside them in Group B.

Their opening clash with Denmark on June 9 (Holland 8/13, draw 12/5, Denmark 4/1) should give them the chance to get early points on the board, with the Danes widely tipped to take the wooden spoon.

Given Germany’s impressive record at major tournaments it isn’t surprising that they and Holland are evens to qualify together from the group, even with the presence of Portugal providing a significant stumbling block.

If they can escape their group though then the potential quarter-final draw has been kind.

Group A is generally seen as the weakest of the four and van Marwijk will not be afraid of taking on Poland, Russia, Greece or the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals, which would then leave them just 90 minutes away from a second consecutive tournament final.

With pre-tournament odds of 11/4 it is clear that once again Holland go into a major tournament heavily fancied to do well. Their talent has never been in question but their temperament has, with the accusation often being that they are a team of individuals rather than a force greater than the sum of their parts.

With holders and 5/2 favourites Spain travelling without key defender Carles Puyol and possibly striker David Villa, the door is ajar for another side to play their way into contention.

If the Dutch can safely negotiate an admittedly difficult group then there is no reason why they cannot reach the latter stages (Holland 11/4 to reach the final), with van Marwijk’s greatest challenge ensuring they remain a collective unit.

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Andrews’ bullish Euro vision

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Keith Andrews insists Republic of Ireland are not going to Euro 2012 next month to just make up the numbers but can Giovanni Trapattoni’s men really progress (Republic of Ireland – Group C To Qualify) out of a very tough-looking Group C?

Ireland, an outside 11/1 shot to win Group C, have qualified for their first major football tournament since the 2002 World Cup and, after easily beating Estonia in the play-off, they will proudly take their place in Poland and Ukraine.

However, one glance at the group – which features World and reigning European champions Spain, traditional heavyweights Italy and a talented Croatia side – suggests they may not be set for an extended stay in the tournament.

Andrews, predictably, says the Irish are approaching the Euros with plenty of confidence and why not? – because, actually, they have very little to lose with expectations relatively low. A couple of decent performances where they do themselves proud but still fall short and everyone will surely be satisfied while anything else than that would be a major bonus.

Andrews says the minimum the Republic are aiming for is to qualify for the knock-out phase and one thing in their favour is the fact they kick off Group C against Croatia.

Any side containing the likes of Luka Modric, Nikica Jelavic and Ivica Olic needs to be feared and the match odds reflect the fact Croatia have much more big-game experience in their squad than the Irish (totesport – match prices – Ireland 15/8, Croatia 6/5, draw 11/5).

Andrews, though, is bullish of his side’s chances.

“We are going there full of confidence. We have qualified from a tough group, come through a tough qualifier and we are certainly going there to come out of that group,” he said.

If, however, they can get something out of that first game then confidence levels will rise for the big two tests that remain as Ireland hope to negotiate the group (5/1 Stage of Elimination- quarter-finals).

Following the Croatia opener, Ireland take on the mighty Spain and totesport prices a shock win in that clash at 9/1. Spain (2/7, draw 7/2 – match prices) will probably be too good for Trapatonni’s men but this game could be closer than many people expect.

So if things go very well, it could all come down to the final group game against Italy for the Republic if they are to achieve Andrews’ dream of getting out of the group.

Italy, of course, have plenty of talent in their squad as well but they do not have the same fear factor as the Spanish and Ireland may be able to approach that game (totesport – match prices – Italy 4/5, Ireland 3/1, draw 9/4) knowing a win would see them through. That may be the stuff of dreams and very much against the odds but Ireland have surprised in big tournaments before and, with the pressure off, they may just do so again.

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Will Di Matteo now get Chelsea job?

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Bet on the Champions LeagueChelsea’s Champions League triumph on Saturday night goes down as probably the club’s greatest-ever night but, despite making them European champions, interim manager Roberto Di Matteo is still not certain to get the Stamford Bridge job on a permanent basis.

The Blues beat Bayern Munich in their own backyard, albeit on penalties, after the two sides drew 1-1 in normal time at the Allianz Arena and totesport make them 12/1 to retain the crown in 12 months’ time.

Di Matteo’s side had to dig deep to land their first ever European Cup (Barcelona 7/2f – 2012/13 Champions League outright) and it was another resolute defensive display that secured the trophy after a nervy 120 minutes.

Didier Drogba’s header cancelled out Thomas Mueller’s late goal before Petr Cech saved Arjen Robben’s penalty in extra time. The Blues then went on to triumph on spot-kicks.

That cued wild celebrations from the Londoners, who beat the odds to overcome Bayern, so surely Di Matteo can expect the call from owner Roman Abramovich to manage the club on a permanent basis?

Well, not so apparently. Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said in the aftermath of the victory that the Italian is just “in the mix” for the post, with reports suggesting former England manager Fabio Capello is being lined up by Abramovich.

Quite what else the former Blues midfielder has to do to get the post is the question though. Di Matteo has steadied the ship in remarkable fashion since Andre Villas-Boas left and got an under-performing squad to gel quickly with the minimum of fuss.

He then not only guided them to the FA Cup by beating Spurs in the semi-final and Liverpool in the final but also saw off the mighty Barcelona over two legs in the Champions League semi.

If this was any other club, Saturday’s victory over Bayern would have pretty much guaranteed a successful interim manager the full-time job, but things are not quite as straightforward as that at the Bridge (Chelsea 9/2 to win 2012/13 Premier League).

Abramovich has been through more managers than most since he arrived at the club in 2003 with, apparently, his top goal for the club being to win the European Cup and become kings of the continent.

That has now happened but still, it seems, Di Matteo is not certain of the job. The players have been gushing with their praise for him and he definitely has the backing of the fans but whether he will get the chance to take complete control in August remains to be seen.

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Montpellier ready to make history

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The final games of the Ligue 1 season take place on Sunday and it looks set to be a thrilling last day at both the top and the bottom. Montpellier and Paris Saint-Germain are both battling it out for the title, while no fewer than eight teams are fighting for top-flight survival.

Montpellier are in the box seat to take the trophy for the first time in their history, with a three-point lead over their closest challengers, PSG. The goal difference is equal though, at +33, and a slip-up from the leaders on the final day is likely to see the big-spending captial outfit snatch the title.

But Rene Girard’s league leaders look unlikely to lose against already-relegated Auxerre, especially on their current run of form. Montpellier have only lost one of their last nine games, winning seven of those including away victories over Marseille, Toulouse and Rennes.

PSG’s only hope is that the pressure is off Auxerre and that they look to end on a high note – with the bottom club winning just one of their last three home games (Match Betting – Auxerre 5/1, draw 11/4, Montpellier 4/7).

Carlo Ancelotti’s men also have a big game at Lorient, who could go down if beaten by PSG. Lorient did win the reverse fixture 0-1 in Paris back in August and have not lost to their final-day opponents in the last five meetings.

But PSG (10/1 to win 3-0) have lost just once in their last seven league games and the goals have been flying in as well, with 16 scored in their last five fixtures.

Should, as expected, Lorient lose to the title challengers, then Les Merlus are in real danger of dropping out of the top flight – with just a point between them and the relegation zone.

Two relegation spots need to be filled and second-from-bottom Dijon look almost certain to join Auxure in Ligue 2 next season. Patrice Carteron’s men will start the day two points from safety and face a tough trip to seventh-placed Rennes (Match Betting – Rennes 4/5, draw 11/4, Dijon 16/5).

Of the other relegated-threatend teams, the one fixture that could prove crucial is the clash between Valenciennes and Caen – currently 12th and 17th respectively and both in danger of going down (HT-FT Draw/Draw 4/1).

Caen have lost on their last three visits to the Stade du Hainaut and look like the side that could fill that third relegation birth.

The other teams still fearing a last-day relegation are third-from-bottom Ajaccio (away to Toulouse), Brest (away to Evian), Sochaux (home to Marseille) and Nice (away to Lyon).

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Hatters ready for big time

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Two former Football League clubs will go head-to-head in the Blue Square Bet Premier Division play-off final at Wembley on Sunday as York City and Luton Town bid to make a return to League Two (totesport – match prices).

York boss Gary Mills takes his side back to the national stadium for the second successive weekend after their 2-0 FA Trophy victory against Newport last Saturday.

The Minstermen (11/10 Promotion) will be in confident mood for the game and have plenty going for them with regards to head-to-heads with the Hatters in recent big encounters.

York recorded a league double over Luton with a 3-0 win at Bootham Crescent last September followed by a 2-1 victory at Kenilworth Road in March. They also defeated the Hatters 2-1 on aggregate over two legs of their FA Trophy meeting during the campaign.

York also defeated Luton in their previous play-off encounter in 2010 when they followed up a 1-0 home win with the same score-line away to secure a place in the final which they went on to lose 3-1 against Oxford United.

Mills, who will go into this latest encounter boosted by the return of defender Chris Doig after he missed the FA Trophy success with a calf injury, claims promotion would be “like going from the Championship to the Premier League”.

Luton go into the game with the omens stacked against them, having followed up the 2010 semi-final defeat to York by losing last years final on penalties to Wimbledon, while their boss Paul Buckle tasted defeat with former club Torquay in the League Two play-off final.

However, Buckle did guide the Gulls back into the Football League in 2009 so knows what it takes to get a team through the pressure cooker atmosphere of a play-off final.

Buckle has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game and could be boosted by the return of  midfielder Godfrey Poku from an ankle injury.

Going into the game he said: “We’ve had some massive games. It’s all there for the players. We’ve just got to Wembley believing and with a real positive frame of mind.”

York, who finished in fourth position in the regular season – one place and two points above Luton in fifth – scraped past Mansfeld after extra time in their semi-final, while the Hatters defeated a Wrexham side that finished three places and 17 points better off 3-2 on aggregate.

And, while York have won three of their four meetings in this past season not to mention having the psychological edge having won at Wembley last weekend, we feel it is Luton’s year to make a return to the Football League (4/6 Promotion) but they could require more than 90 minutes to do it.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 9/4
Value Bet: 1-1 Draw Correct Score 90 Minutes @ 11/2

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A Blue day in Munich

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For the second year running an English club will be looking to upset the odds to become European champions. Last year, Manchester United fell short in their bid to beat Barcelona. Having already beaten Barca can Chelsea go one step further and win the Champions League for the first time in their history?

Bayern Munich v Chelsea 7:45pm

To say the Blues’ journey to reach the Champions League has been a roller-coaster would be an understatement. Having scrambled out of their group the west London outfit appeared to be on the verge of elimination when they lost the first leg of their last-16 tie against Napoli 3-1. However, out went Andre Villas-Boas and in came Roberto Di Matteo as the new manager, after which everything changed.

After turning around their tie with Napoli in the second leg Chelsea then dumped Benfica out before their semi-final with Barcelona. No one gave the Blues a chance, yet somehow they managed to defeat the defending European champions following a dramatic second leg.

For the final Chelsea are once again underdogs, with Bayern 4/9 to win the Champions League, while the Premier League club are 7/4.

The main factor for Bayern being given the edge seems to be their home advantage, with the game being staged at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The four-time European champions’ record at home is mightily impressive this season, winning all but three of their 25 matches on their own patch.

Bayern’s last defeat at home was against Borussia Dortmund on November 19, the team that eventually beat them to the Bundesliga title and the German Cup. While Chelsea were winning their domestic cup final against Liverpool, Jupp Heynckes’ men were being soundly beaten 5-2 by Borussia in the German equivalent.

What Dortmund proved in that game is that Bayern do have a soft underbelly, especially when you consider Luiz Gustavo, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber will all be unavailable for Saturday#s final. Bayern’s main strength is going forward, with the trio of Mario Gomes, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben the biggest threats to Chelsea’s dream.

All three players are in double figures for goals and will provide Chelsea’s defence with a different kind of test than the one they were given by Barcelona. Di Matteo has admitted Chelsea will need to keep it tight but it seems unlikely they will manage to keep a clean sheet. As a result go for over 2.5 goals at 5/6.

For Chelsea’s old guard Saturday’s game is going to be the last hoorah you’d think, with Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Didier Drogba desperate to enhance their legacy at the club. All three are expected to start against Bayern and having scored in the last European final they appeared in you can get Lampard to repeat that trick at 11/4 to score anytime, with Drogba 15/8.

Given Bayern’s attacking threat Chelsea’s team news will be critical as we wait to see whether David Luiz and Gary Cahill have overcome their hamstring injuries. The reports coming out of Munich indicate they will be fit but if they aren’t then Di Matteo will be without a recognised centre-half as John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic are suspended.

Barring Chelsea having no fit centre-backs the biggest loss for them will be Ramires, who has been magnificent in the second half of the campaign.

To win the Champions League will take another super-human effort by Chelsea and you wonder whether the semi-final with Barcelona was their final.

It’s going to be close and could go all the way to penalties again. At least John Terry isn’t around to take one this time as far as Chelsea are concerned. The match markets have priced a Bayern win in 90 minutes at 4/5, with the draw 11/4 and the draw 10/3.

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