Chelsea Defy The Odds

Two-nil down and reduced to ten men, Chelsea were left with an impossible task. That was a widely belief thought in the betting world, as Barcelona traded as low as 1.01 to win the game and 1.02 to reach the final.

But miracles do happen in sport, with Chelsea defying the odds to eventually draw the game, a result that had been matched at 999/1 in-running.

With favourites Barcelona dumped out of the competition, the three remaining sides in the Champions League have all shortened in price. Real Madrid are the new 11/8 (Bodog) favourites with Chelsea 2/1 (Coral) and Bayern Munich 11/4 (Betfred).

After a startling tunraorund in fortunes, Roberto Di Matteo is 4/5 (William Hill) to become the next permanent Chelsea manager. An FA Cup/Champions League double is only 7/2 (Paddy Power) having been a 100/1 chance at the start of March.

There could also be huge ramifications for the domestic scene. If Chelsea win the Champions League, only the top three teams in the Premier League would qualify for next season’s tournament.

Arsenal are currently the bookies favourites to finish third at 3/10 (Boylesports) with Newcastle 7/1 (Bet365) and Tottenham 9/1 (William Hill).