Two teams will secure their place in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday and whilst one tie already looks a formality, the all-English affair is still on a knife edge. Manchester United will start as favourites with a 0-1 first-leg win behind them, but Chelsea will be desperate for revenge and to secure a European dream for Roman Abramovich.
Manchester United v Chelsea (7:45pm kick-off)
Chelsea will need to create history if they are to reach the last four of Europe’s top club competition, as no team has ever knocked United out of Europe having lost the first leg of a tie at home. Their hopes of upsetting the odds look to rest on the shoulders of one man……Fernando Torres.
The Spanish international has yet to score for the Blues since his headline-making £50million January move from Liverpool and looks a shadow of the player we know he is. But his record at Old Trafford is decent – with two goals in five appearances at United’s home – and he has terrorised Nemanja Vidic on several occasions.
The United backline is strong and, although Didier Drogba scored in Chelsea’s league win at United last season, can and have coped with the Ivorian in the past….it’s the pace of Torres that will worry them.
Due to his recent form, you would have to give Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and co every chance of shackling the Spaniard, but if he clicks then he could produce a night to remember for Carlo Ancelotti (Utd 23/20, Draw 9/4, Chelsea 9/4 – Match Betting).
At the other end of the pitch, Wayne Rooney will be out champing at the bit after being forced to sit out Saturday’s win against Fulham. With seven goals in his last eight games, the England striker can put the game beyond Chelsea with another top notch display.
Expect the second leg to be another tight affair, with Chelsea unlikely to over commit until late in the game, and the ‘Under 2.5 goals‘ market looks a decent bet at 4/7.
Shakhtar Donetsk v Barcelona (7:45 kick-off)
Forget one foot in the semis, Barca (Evs Outright Winners) have nine toes already in the last four following a 5-1 thumping of their Ukrainian opponents in the Nou Camp.
Pep Guardiola’s men were inspired in the first leg, in a game that could have quite easily seen 10 ten goals with a bagful of chances for both teams. The mounting fixture list could have a major bearing though on Tuesday’s clash, with Barca expected to make several changes.
The Catalan giants are expected to face Real Madrid four times in quick succession, in a La Liga clash, the Copa Del Rey final and then likely, in a two-legged Champions League semi-final. The manager will use his strong squad to full effect, starting with a tough trip to the Ukraine.
Andres Iniesta is suspended for Tuesday’s game and Shakhtar (23/10 to beat Barca on the night) could take full advantage, as they look to win a fifth consecutive Champions League home game in this season’s competition.
The home side have an 11-point lead in their domestic league and could claim a big scalp on Tuesday….even though Barca will still qualify.
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