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UEFA Champions League – Quarter Finals Preview

Published by Nabyl Charania on April 6, 2009

The 8 teams remaining in the 2008-2009 UEFA Champions League competition line up as follows for the quarter finals:

Villareal v Arsenal
Manchester United v FC Porto
Liverpool v Chelsea
Barcelona v Bayern Munich

The first leg matches will be played on April 7th and 8th, with the return legs on April 14th and 15th and the final scheduled for Rome`s Stadio Olimpico on May 27th.

Villareal v Arsenal

Arsenal (8/1 to win the Champions League) have drawn a tricky tie against Spanish side Villareal (33/1) in a repeat of the 2006 semi-final, where the London side prevailed 1-0 on aggregate. Gunners manager Arsene Wenger predicted another close tie and was anxious for his team not to be thought of as favourites, despite the bookmakers rating them 4/7 chances to qualify, with Villareal at 17/10. However, he added that he was hopeful of success, with several players returning from injury, with the first leg away from home an added bonus.

Manchester United v FC Porto

Defending champions and 12/5 Champions League favourites, Manchester United, were handed perhaps the easiest quarter-final draw against 66/1 chances FC Porto. However, Red Devils` boss Sir Alex Ferguson is taking nothing for granted, mindful of the last-16 match of 2004, when a last minute Costinha goal at Old Trafford saw his team eliminated. United play the second leg in Portugal, but Ferguson expressed more concern over conceding a goal in the home leg. He underlined his confidence by stating that he was happy with the draw and looking forward to the next round. United are 1/4 to qualify for the semi-finals, with Porto rated at 21/5.

Liverpool v Chelsea

2005 champions Liverpool face 2008 beaten finalists Chelsea for the fifth time in as many seasons, having met four times in the knockout stages and once in the group stage. However, current form may well be more important than past meetings. The Reds appear to be peaking at just the right time and are rated marginal 9/10 favourites to qualify, with Chelsea at Evens. Both sides are 7/1 chances to win the Champions League title. The sides know each other so well that they will effectively “neutralise” each other, leading to hard-fought, low scoring encounters. The first leg is at Anfield and it is interesting to note that in 3 previous semi-final meetings the team playing the first leg away from home qualified.

Barcelona v Bayern Munich

2006 winners Barcelona (11/4 for Champions League success) have drawn 2001 champions Bayern Munich (16/1). The bookmakers seem to consider Barcelona`s progression a formality, making them 4/11 favourites, with Munich at 5/2. However, the layers may have overlooked the fact that the German side have never lost to the Spanish giants in European competition. Allied to the fact that Bayern play the first leg of the tie away from home, Barcelona appear to face a tough task.

Champions League Betting Tips

Manchester United v Porto looks a “no-brainer,” with the Red Devils confidently expected to progress, though the price is short at 4/7. Liverpool have been in such excellent form of late that they look a decent bet to overcome Chelsea, even at a shade of odds-on. The remaining ties look less straightforward. Villareal seem vastly underrated and are fancied to overcome the Gunners over two legs. Similarly, Barcelona, “the best side in Europe,” seem overrated and are fancied to come unstuck against Bayern Munich. In looking for value in the outright win market, Villareal at 33/1 look vastly overpriced, despite a prospective semi-final against Manchester United, while Bayern Munich look exceptional value at 16/1. Agreed, this appears to fly in the face of conventional “wisdom,” but your correspondent will be paying to find out!

Responsible Gambling

Any form of betting, including playing the Champions League odds, involves risk-taking, but can provide a great deal of fun and entertainment as long as the punter adopts a responsible approach. Responsible gamblers:
1. Set aside an affordable amount of money for betting and bet no more.

2. Consider gambling a hobby, rather than a solution to financial problems.

3. Do not chase losses.

4. Never borrow money for betting.

Whilst most punters enjoy their betting, a minority may experience problems in controlling their gambling habits. In such cases, gambling ceases to be a fun exercise and can become life-dominating. Websites such as www.gambleaware.co.uk and www.gamcare.org.uk provide information and advice on “problem” gambling.

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