UEFA Champions League Final Four

by Bodog Sportsbook | Apr 22 2009

Betting on sports is always more enjoyable when the game in question is a high-quality matchup between two talented combatants. That's why this is such a great time of year for handicappers; we've experienced March Madness, the NBA and NHL playoffs are just underway, and the UEFA Champions League is down to its Final Four. Any of these four European clubs would make a great champion. It's like the Beatles versus the Rolling Stones at this point.

Someone still has to win in the end. Who's got the Size 5 footballs to advance to next month's final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome? We know at least one team from the English Premiership will be there.

Chelsea at FC Barcelona (Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2:45 p.m. Eastern)

The Blues look like a brand new team since their controversial decision to dump manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and bring in Guus Hiddink. His impeccable resume includes taking PSV Eindhoven to the Champions League semis in 2005. Chelsea have won six times and drawn once in Premiership play since Hiddink took the reins; they've also advanced to this year's FA Cup final, and they put the boots to both Juventus and Liverpool to get to Tuesday's matchup.

Barca's path to the Champions League semis has been just as tumultuous. The 2006 titleholders had what was for them a very poor 2008, finishing a distant third in La Liga and prompting manager Frank Rijkaard to step down. The stewardship of Josep Guardiola and a dramatic roster makeover (including the sale of Ronaldinho and Deco) have vaulted Barcelona back to the top of the table with 25 wins, three draws and three losses in the highly competitive Spanish league.

Barcelona are the home side for Tuesday's opening leg of this two-game, total-goal series. They're priced at -150 to pick up the victory at Neu Camp; the Blues are staring at a +450 price tag with the draw at +230 (for current lines, visit Bodog Sports). This will be their first meeting since 2006, which is ancient history in soccer terms - Chelsea was coming off back-to-back Premiership titles and managed a 2-2 draw in Barcelona. The golden boot is on the other foot now.

Prediction: Barcelona 2, Chelsea 0

Arsenal at Manchester United (Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2:45 p.m. ET)

Manchester United's focus this year had been on winning the quintuple, but they'll have to settle for four trophies after losing their FA Cup semifinal to Everton on penalties. Their goalless draw was a disappointing result for Sir Alex Ferguson, although hardly beyond the pale with top players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney not even on the bench. The betting public feels good about United's A-team beating Arsenal at Old Trafford on Wednesday; the Red Devils are -115 faves, with the Gunners at +310 and the draw at +230.

The Gunners find themselves in fourth place in the Premiership with 17 wins, 11 draws and five losses; their away record is 8-6-3, so there's added value in taking the draw. Porto was able to lock down a 2-2 draw (+333) at Old Trafford in the quarterfinals as United played a sloppy game. And Arsenal have played the Devils close to the vest before; over their last 10 meetings, the Gunners have three draws and three victories with four losses. This year's team is on a scoring spree with 17 goals in their last five Premiership matches, including four by Andrey Arshavin in Tuesday’s 4-4 draw with Liverpool.

One big problem for Arsenal: Steven Gerrard (abductor), Robin van Persie (groin) and Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring) were all on the injury list at press time. Van Persie and Adebayor each scored in last week's 3-0 Champions League quarterfinal victory over Villareal, but they both played poorly and were subbed out in their 2-1 loss to Chelsea during the FA Cup semis before their injuries were announced. Arshavin better have another four goals at the ready.

Prediction: Manchester United 2, Arsenal 1

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