We've reached the semi-final stage of the UEFA Champions League and there are still three home teams in the hunt to be Champions of Europe.
The Premiership trio of Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool all made it through to the last four and now will battle it out in an attempt to get to the final in Moscow on the 21st of May.
Although most bookies had Barcelona as the favourites for the Champions league, Man Utd have now emerged as the team most likely to be crowned the new Kings of Europe! |
We've analysed the semi- final ties and here's our guide to finding the best value in the various spreads.
Semi-Final Matches |
1st Leg |
2nd Leg |
Barcelona - Man Utd |
23/04 |
28/04 |
Liverpool - Chelsea |
22/04 |
30/04 |
Barcelona v Man Utd- This match-up would have been the final most neutrals would want to see -but we're just going to have to settle for a fantastic semi-final! Both teams play very attractive open football and have wonderfully skillful individuals in their line-ups, so you would expect at least four or five goals in this two-legged affair. Sporting Index make Barca slight favourites at home, but no doubt the Reds will be much bigger favourites for their home leg. With two such attacking teams on show, their could be a fistful of goals -especially if Man Utd nick an early one, then Barca will have to come out and play openly.
Spread View - With this in mind, I will direct you to the spread for Total Goal Minutes (TGM) which SI currently set at 110-120. Whilst this can be a very volatile spread, it has the potential to be very big with these strikers on show. Anything exceeding a 1-1 scoreline and you can expect a very healthy profit!
Sporting Index
Champions League Index (15/04/2008)
Team |
Points So Far |
Current Spread |
Man Utd |
50 |
70-73 |
Chelsea |
50 |
69-72 |
Barcelona |
50 |
66-68 |
Liverpool |
50 |
65-68 |
|
Winner = 100pts, Runner-up = 75pts,
Semi-Final = 50pts, Lose Quarter-Final = 25pts, Last 16 = 10pts |
Liverpool v Chelsea- Facing each other in the Champions League semis for the third time in the last four seasons, surely it is Chelsea's turn to progress to the final? Whilst they dont play very attractive football, it is very effective in grinding out 1-0 wins regularly. Liverpool have been scoring for fun recently, with Torres in particular on fire in front of goal. There will be goals at Anfield were the game will be more open than in the second leg at the Bridge.
Spreadview With this in mind, the SI Hotshots spread (27-30) names the deadly quartet of Torres, Gerrard, Drogba and Lampard as their choices -surely one of these guys will score? Get buying...
TEAM |
BEST ODDS |
| Man Utd |
9/5 |
| Chelsea |
100/30 |
| Barcelona |
100/30 |
| Liverpool |
71/19 |
Champions League Specials
Barca v Man Utd -Bookings
The atmosphere in the Nou Camp will be electric as a noisy Catalan crowd hope their team can get a two goal cushion to take to Old Trafford for the second leg. Things could get very tasty if Barca go behind and Ronaldo & Nani start showboating. Watch the first 20 minutes and then decide if the game is going to turn nasty. There should be at least six bookings in this fixture and maybe even a sending-off depending on how strict the referee decides to be on the night.
Spreadview - Sporting Index buy @ 41 and expect to make at least 20 points!
Name That Final!
Spreadex are offering you the chance to guess the two finalists, with 25 points for naming one and 100 points if you name both.
| FINALIST A |
FINALIST B |
SPREAD
SELL - BUY |
Man Utd |
Chelsea |
40 - 45 |
Man Utd |
Liverpool |
39 - 44 |
Barcelona |
Chelsea |
31 - 36 |
Barcelona |
Liverpool |
30 - 35 |
| 100 points if both right, 25 points if one right. |
Spreadview -A Man Utd vs Chelsea final looks a good buy @ 45
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