Betfair Official Blog

Champions League

Champions League Final - Betting Preview

Click here to view market

TQ shares his knowledge as he trawls through the vast number of Betfair markets for tonights best prices.

It has been a season of never ending big games but they really don't come any bigger than this. Tonight sees the top two in the Premier League clash for the greatest prize in European club football. Moscow plays host to what promises to be one of the most dramatic nights of the season.

Man Utd are the form team as they come into this match as the current Premier League champions. Sir Alex Ferguson has all his best players available and you can be sure he already has his ideal line-up in his mind. I expect Scholes to start and the only surprise in Man Utd's line-up I can see is Ji-Sung Park. I believe Fergie will go with the Korean in what is their biggest game of the season.

For Chelsea there seems to be little doubt that Grant will not be able to resist the temptation to play Essien at right-back and have Makelele in his forever familiar holding role. For me it is a mistake as Essien is the most talented midfielder in their ranks. Terry is expected to be fit and should start in a match where the defence will really need to be at its very best.

The question we all want answered is who will raise that prized trophy late on Wednesday evening? The Match Odds market suggests a close fought encounter and all the evidence points to that being a correct assessment. Chelsea's 2-1 win a few weeks ago will have their fans believing they have the upper hand but I really can't see them winning in Moscow. And contrary to popular opinion I don't see it being that close either!

I expect United to dominate play and cut Chelsea's back line apart without too much difficulty. Even if Terry and Carvalho line-up it was a defence that was starting to show signs of wilting in recent weeks. I can't get Chelsea's miserable League Cup final out of my mind and I think when the chips are down they won't have the spirit needed to take the big prize. The main bet of the match is to back United at anything around current odds of [2.66].

As I alluded to earlier I feel that United will win this match with a little in hand. Clearly that suggests that the game will have a few goals in it and I would certainly favour that belief. I would have slight concerns regarding the state of the pitch and the quality of football that can be played on it but not enough to put me off backing Over 2.5 Goals. I feel that that the odds aren't really reflective of the chances of there being at least three goals in this game so backing Over 2.5 Goals at [2.9] is a must bet.

With all that is at stake it is quite likely to be a feisty affair at the Luzhniki Stadium. There are plenty of candidates to pick up bookings but whilst that is the case you have to believe that no player will be willing to jeopardise their position on the field by flying in with rash tackles. The Bookings Odds market indicates a consensus in thought that we will see plenty of cards but again I disagree and the option '9pts and Above' is way too short at [1.84] and is a must lay.

There is an embarrassment of riches on show in this game and the First Goalscorer market offers up so many possibilities. Whilst Ronaldo is a worthy favourite it is his United team-mate Wayne Rooney that appeals most to me. I see him pulling out wide, making runs in behind the Chelsea defence and surely that will reap its rewards. He is currently available at [9.8] and represents decent value in a tough market to call.

Moscow will be full of fans excited by the prospect of seeing their side lift the Champions League trophy but for one set of supporters it will be a long miserable trip home. My feeling is that those supporters will be dressed in blue.