European Union
The Champions League returns with four cracking ties involving English clubs, three of whom face Italian opposition.
Current champions Manchester United head to Milan to face Jose Mourinho's Internatzionale, in one of the best ties of the round. United have faced Italian opposition in the last two seasons, and spread betting fans will be interested to know that they have managed to put 14 goals past what are usually stingy Italian defences, in just six games. United's last visit to the San Siro did result however in a 3-0 defeat to Inter's local rivals A.C. back in May 2007.
Football betters will also be aware that United have been impregnable at the back, not conceding a goal since November 8th in the Premier League, and Edwin Van Der Sar has not conceded a goal all season in Europe. One plus for Inter is Mourinho's record against Ferguson. In the 12 games that they have faced each other, Fergie has only one win over Jose, whilst the Portuguese man has six wins to his name. Football punters will certainly take that into consideration.
Claudio Ranieri returns to West London with his Juventus side, with his sights set on revenge after his sacking in 2004 from Chelsea. Ranieri will be confident of getting a result at Stamford Bridge, having seen his team win in Madrid in the group stages, and given Chelsea's average home form this season. Draws against Hull, West Ham, Newcastle and Man Utd, plus defeats against Arsenal and Liverpool at the Bridge have severely damaged Chelsea's title hopes. However in Europe; they won all three home games, conceding just one goal, to get through to the knock out stage. Spread betters certainly have a lot to think about in this contest.
Another Anglo-Italian tie sees Arsenal travel to the Stadio Olimpico, venue of the final, to face Roma. Coach Arsene Wenger will be well aware of the threat that the Italian side carry, after seeing I Giallorossi destroy Chelsea 3-1 in the group stage. Wenger's men will need to up their game away from home having taken just four points out of nine in their three group games away from the Emirates. With goal threat Adebayor not fit, the burden will fall to Dutch striker Robin Van Persie, who has grabbed Arsenal's only goal in their last four games. Spread punters will be aware that the last time Arsenal visited the Stadio Olimpico, the Gunners did manage a 3-1 win, however a lot has changed in five years and a repeat result seems unlikely.
From an historical point of view, the final tie between Real Madrid brings together two of the most successful sides in the tournament's history. Liverpool travel to Spain with coach Rafa Benitez looking for another famous European scalp, two years after he took his side to Barcelona and won 2-1. Madrid have had a mixed season, but under new coach Juande Ramos they have gone on a seven match unbeaten run in La Liga, despite missing big name striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Spread betting fans will note that Liverpool have not lost away from home in Europe all season, scoring six goals in the process. Rafa's men will also draw confidence from Real's recent record in the knockout stages, as they have gone out in the second round of the competition in each of the last three years.
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