If your team happens to be eliminated from contention in the NHL Playoffs, perhaps you would find entertainment in the Champions League playoffs where the Manchester United Vs. Barcelons series is set to be remakable!
Manchester United v Barcelona
As the first Champions League semi-final second leg approaches we could hardly be faced with two more evenly poised fixtures.Of course, one might slightly favour the likelihood of a Man Utd - Chelsea final but would anyone be all that surprised if the opposite turned out to be the case? In truth, as I suppose should be the case at this late stage of Europe’s premier club competition, the remaining teams are all extremely well matched and, in all probability the eventual margins of victory will reflect this.
Sticking with tonight’s match between United and Barcelona; it’s difficult to decide which team emerges from the scoreless first leg in pole-position, an away goal from Barcelona would mean that nothing less than a win will do for United but, nonetheless, with the home advantage I just about favor Fergie’s charges (United are currently favorites for the whole competition with Blue Square Sports Betting). Of course, much depends on how Barcelona perform; clearly they have the quality to cause any team problems – a forward line that includes Eto’o and Messi should never be underestimated – it’s just that they haven’t really been firing on all cylinders recently.
Barca’s Achilles heel is undoubtedly in defense, no change there – the Catalans have always been associated with a flamboyant, swashbuckling brand of football that values goals and entertainment over defensive stability - it’s hard to envisage them keeping the likes of Ronaldo and Tevez at bay for the full ninety minutes. The onus will be on United to take the game to Barcelona which could leave them exposed, particularly if Evra starts bombing forward, Messi in particular will waste time in trying to exploit any defensive gaps.
Ultimately I think a lot will depend on who scores first; should Barcelona take the lead United will be faced with the unenviable task of coming from behind and winning - a scenario that could very well leave them vulnerable to counter attacks. There is also the question of how well United respond to their controversial defeat to Chelsea at the weekend, there’s no doubt that Ferguson in particular is riled and it’s entirely likely that he will turn this to his team’s advantage, a lingering sense of injustice could just spur them on to a famous victory.
Keep up with the latest Champions League odds at Blue Square Football Betting.