Champions League / Mike Norman / 02 November 2009 / Leave a comment

"Mystical" Mike Norman predicts an easy victory for Man Utd, but he's undecided as to whether or not Sir Alex's men - minus key defenders - will be able to keep a clean sheet. Best Bet: Back Over 3.5 Goals at 3.6.

Best Bet: Back Over 3.5 Goals @ [3.6]

Also: Back Any Unquoted in Correct Score market @ [6.8]; Back Berbatov @ [6.0] and Nani @ [10.0] in First Goalscorer market (split stakes)

A win for United on Matchday 4 will wrap up qualification to the knock-out stages of the Champions League as well as putting them in a strong position to win Group B - job done as they say.

A home win is almost inevitable. Only a crazed and disillusioned punter - the type that votes for John & Edward on X Factor - would consider backing CSKA ([12.0]) to triumph at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson's men last lost a home game in this competition back in the 2004/05 season, that's the same season that CSKA last won an away game in Europe. Man Utd are available to back at just [1.38] in the Match Odds market; The Draw can be backed at [5.1].

United are once again expected to be without defensive duo Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, which does temp slightly the No option in the Man Utd Clean Sheet market, though the odds on offer of just [2.06] are far less than what I'd hope to get matched at.

Other than his defensive problems, Sir Alex should field a strong side capable of beating a CSKA Moscow side that are in a bit of a mess at the moment. Ex Tottenham boss Juande Ramos has been relieved of his duties after failing to put CSKA in contention for the Russian title, and rather alarmingly, the new man at the helm - Leonid Slutski - has only one previous European tie to call upon for experience... and that ended in defeat to Ireland's Saint Patrick's Athletic!

Not surprisingly then, a win for Man United is an easy selection to make and I'd urge anyone wanting to get rich quick to snap up the [1.38] currently available. At [2.04] to back, Man Utd/Man Utd in the Half Time/Full Time market also looks a decent opportunity to cash in.

Because of my fear of CSKA snatching a goal I'm not going to make a precise selection in the Correct Score market; instead I'm going for Any Unquoted score (either team to score at least four goals) at [6.8] and I'm also backing Over 3.5 Goals at [3.6]. If you're a little wary of the latter then you can back Over 2.5 Goals at [2.02].

Assuming Sir Alex doesn't mess around with his team selection then two players appeal to me in the First Goalscorer market.

Dimitar Berbatov has had a lot of shots on target this season but has been unlucky to come up against some inspired goalkeepers, whilst Nani is always capable of breaking into the box or shooting from long range. These two will be available to back at around [6.0] and [10.0] respectively once the market materialises and I'm splitting my stakes between them.

*Man Utd v CSKA Moscow is live on Sky Sports 2, Kick-off 19:45

Tags: Champions League, Champions League Betting, CSKA Moscow, Dimitar Berbatov, Manchester Unite, Nani, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Sir Alex Ferguson