5th May 2011 | Football
United fire warning to Barcelona
No win, however impressive, from Man Utd could stop Barcelona lining up as big favourites in the Champions League Final at Wembley.
Manchester United romped to a 6-1 aggregate win over Schalke to suggest red-hot favourites Barcelona won’t have everything their own way in the Champions League Final. Ferguson’s side are in the highly unusual position of finding themselves 10/3 underdogs with PaddyPower to win at Wembley on 28 May. The bookies clearly remain unconvinced despite four semi-final second leg goals from Valencia, Gibson, and Anderson (2) at Old Trafford last night. The Catalan giants are best priced evens with StanJames to repeat their 2009 triumph over the Red Devils.
Both those prices are based on 90 minutes with bet365 offering 12/5 on the draw leading to extra time. The same firm make the Spanish champions 1/2 to lift the trophy while the English league leaders are 7/4 with Bluesquare to grab the silverware.
Barcelona are 8/1 with Skybet to repeat the 2-0 scoreline victory that was seen as more of a surprise in Rome in the 2009 final than it would be this time round. The same firm are offering 17/2 on Messi, Iniesta, Xavi et al running amok and winning by three goals or more.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 13:58 5th May, 2011 but subject to change
