Champions League Final – Manchester United vs. Barcelona

Rome, Italy – The Champions League final is finally upon us. Less than a few hours away from kick off and a match that will put to rest the all-important question: who is the greatest football team in the world? What an exciting day it promises to be for football lovers around the world.

Defending champions Manchester United are vying for back-to-back European titles but high-flying Barcelona, who lost to the English Premier League side in the semis last year stand in their way. There isn’t much wiggle room between these two teams if you are looking at prices in the soccer betting market. Whichever way you slice it, there is value to be had as the market is paying out better than evens.

Perhaps the one big thing that stands out is the fact that Man U are ahead of Barcelona in almost every soccer betting line, but the futures market serves up the tightest line to win the cup outright. Barcelona are at -110 while Man U are marginally favoured at -130. That speaks volumes.

Manchester United vs. Barcelona

Match Time: 02:45 P.M. Eastern Time Wednesday May 27 2009

Venue: Stadio Olimpico – Rome – Italy

Soccer Betting Line:

FC Barcelona pk +105 +190 2½ O +125 U -145 1 O -135 U +105 Draw +220

Manchester United pk -125 +130 2½ O +125 U -145 1 O -140 U +110 Draw +220

Alternate Betting Line:

FC Barcelona -½ +195 2 O -155 U +125

Manchester United +½ -225 2 O -155 U +125

Prop Betting:

FC Barcelona -110

Manchester United -130

Soccer Betting Analysis: So what is a soccer bettor to make out of this penultimate matchup in the 2009 UEFA Champions League?
Well, if you are a Man U fan than for the most part the market is on your side. Man U are tipped more favourably on each and every soccer-betting offering. United have the best defence in the Premier League. They have the cleanest sheets in Champions League action this season and they play a fast and physical game that has frustrated many European sides.

The market tips Barcelona as the underdog but not so far out that they are out of the equation. The opposite, they are nipping at Man U’s heels. They play an attractive fluid football. They have produced excellent results in domestic action and they are rejuvenated for it. The three-man attacking front of Henry, Messi and Eto look at times unstoppable. They showed some vulnerability against Chelsea FC in the semis and some would have it they were lucky to get away with the equalizer in the dying minutes. No matter how you slice it though, they are through to the final and there are many who believe they deserve to be there, in spite of a little help from lady luck and Norwegian officials.

Soccer Betting Verdict: This match is expected to be one of the most exciting clashes in UEFA Champions League history. In terms of outright winning the match and the cup it is too close to call with any certainty. The betting trend comes down to which side fans are pledging allegiance. If stats during the course of the competition were an indication than Man U are the better play and Man U fans can be optimistic their bets will payout. However, can Barcelona really be ruled out? After all, all the stats in the world can be made mute in one match, 90 minutes of scintillating football. Will Barcelona have the answer to the dilemma that Man U have been? For passionate punters looking for value the best play is on the totals. Both sides are expected to adopt an attacking approach and betting over 2.5 goals is the plum pick in the marketplace.