UK & Ireland Football

Champions League Betting: Man Utd v CSKA Moscow

Champions League RSS / / 02 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

Free Bet
Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are expected to miss Manchester United's CL game against CSKA on Tuesday - how will this affect United's Clean Sheet prospects?

Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are expected to miss Manchester United's CL game against CSKA on Tuesday - how will this affect United's Clean Sheet prospects?

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)

"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.

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


Read More UK & Ireland Football

Reinstating United would make mockery of Champions League

Could Manchester United really receive a Champions League reprieve? Hannah Duncan explains why such a move would be completely wrong....

Champions League Results: 1-100 United crash out with City

Both Manchester clubs will be playing Europa League football in the New Year after they suffered ignominious exits from Europe's premier competition......

Betchecker: Big prize on Betfair as Chelsea ease past Valencia

Shrewd Betfair punters who got the scores right as Chelsea, Olympiakos, Marseille and Shakhtar triumphed in the Champions League were handsomely rewarded......

Champions League Results: 149-1 Marseille deny Olympiakos

Greek outfit touch [1.01] to qualify from Group F before a great French escape in Germany rocks the markets. Joe Dyer reports on a dramatic night that also saw Chelsea make the knockout stages...

Post a comment

Free £20 Bet + Up to £1,000 Cashback

Join Today
How to claim your £20 Free Bet + £1,000 Cashback offer
  1. Open your account (3 mins)
  2. Make a deposit into your account and place a bet on your selection (minimum £20)
  3. Should your selection lose we'll refund your bet + get cashback on your betting for your first 30 days up to £1,000
  4.   £20 Free Bet + £1,000 Cashback, Join Today

Get a $50-$2500 Poker Bonus

Play Now

Choose and earn a $50, $250, $500, $1000 or $2500 poker sign up bonus. Turn Loyalty Into Cash and earn up to 40% Valueback in the Players Club.

Join Betfair Poker Now.

£200 Casino Bonus

Play Now

100% deposit bonus up to £100 for all new casino players. Just join and play to claim.

Join Today. Click here to claim your £200 Casino Bonus

© Betfair 2007–11 | Contact Betting.Betfair team on: haveyoursay@betfair.com

Proud to back    

Betfair UK | Australia | Online sázení | Betfair Danmark | Wetten | στοιχήματα | Apuestas | Fogadas | Ireland | Scommesse | Norge | Онлайн ставки | Kladjenje | Vedonlyönti | Apostas | Zakłady | Vadhållning | >网上投注 | Betfair Corporate | Betting Education