Big Cup Semi Finals
One of the oldest rivalries in English football takes on a European direction on Wednesday, as Sir Alex Ferguson locks horns with his old adversary Arsene Wenger. Over the years, spread bettors have enjoyed some feisty matches and although many of the old personnel have moved on, the intense rivalry remains. The two current longest serving English managers have come up against each other 37 times over the last 13 seasons, with Wenger winning 14 matches and Ferguson 13. Those buying Arsenal on the outright Champions League win index spread at 63-66 will be hoping Wenger can secure Arsenal their second final appearance in four years. Spread followers of United on the outright index at 71-74 will be optimistic Ferguson can become the first manager to win back-to-back Champions League titles.
The Sporting Index traders have made United supremacy favourites at 0.6-0.8 due to their strong home performances in the competition. Supporters of Ferguson's men on the supremacy spread will be hoping they can continue their ever impressive European form that has seen them go unbeaten for 23 matches. Buyers of the spread will also be encouraged that United are protecting a 20 match unbeaten run at Old Trafford. Sellers of United's spread supremacy will be aware that the Gunners are chasing only their second away victory in this season's competition - their last win was a 5-2 victory at Fenerbahce. This will be United's 11th semi-final with a record of W-3 L-7 whereas Arsenal have been in only one previous semi, which they won against Villarreal in 2006. Buyers of United's win index spread at 15-16.5 will note that they have won their only other all-English encounter against Chelsea in last year's final, although it was decided on penalties. Supporters of Arsenal on the spreads will be hoping the Gunners can make it third time lucky whilst playing English opposition after losing to Chelsea and Liverpool. On both occasions they went out in the quarter-final stage having drawn the first leg.
Those spread bettors looking to get involved in the total goals market will remember that these two sides have produced at least three goals in their last four head-to-heads. The Gunners have a number of injury concerns at the back, with the latest casualty being Silvestre who looks set to miss the clash with a back spasm. Buyers of the total goal spread at 2.2-2.4 will be pleased that the Gunners have not kept a clean sheet away from home since March, whereas United's defensive problems were highlighted again in their game against Tottenham. Arsenal can expect a hostile atmosphere at Old Trafford and there have been plenty of lively games of late. Those spread bettors looking at the total bookings market will be aware that the last three matches have accumulated some large totals, 50, 70 and 85.
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