Champions League Betting Update; Porto v Man Utd with the bookmakers making Man Utd their 6/5 favour

Added: (Tue Apr 14 2009)

Pressbox (Press Release) - This is arguably the most interesting of all the quarter-final 2nd legs as the bookies struggle to work out who should be favourites to qualify after Manchester United and Porto drew 2-2 in the 1st leg at Old Trafford.

In fact, many of them can’t separate the pair, with both 5/6 to qualify in many places (BP 10/11 on both sides), with the Dragons 13/5 to win the match, United 11/10 and the draw 12/5.

Most agree that Jesualdo Ferreira’s side deserved their slight advantage from the 1st leg, recording 9 shots on target and the attacking axis of Lisandro Lopez, Francisco Fernando and Hulk causing countless problems for the previously water-tight United back-line. The Portuguese club then extended their unbeaten sequence in all competitions to 24 with a 3-0 win over Estrela de Amadora in the Liga at the weekend – furthermore, they have never lost in 11 home matches versus English opposition, with 6 of these coming at the Estadio do Dragao.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are scraping wins from their fixtures at present – it has taken two late Federico Macheda winners to win their last 2 league games and Carlos Tevez’s 85th minute strike would have done the same against Porto had Mariano Gonzalez not popped up unmarked in the penalty area with 1 minute to play. The Reds know they will have to raise their game significantly here to qualify against a side unbeaten anywhere since November – only a straight win or score draw above 2-2 will suffice.

The visitors must score to have any chance of qualification but I think that under 2.5 goals at 1.9 (or 10/11) on Betfair is a smart wager here. Porto know that if the score stays the same, they will qualify – this is bound to have the mental effect of ‘holding onto what you have’ taking more and more prominence as the game progresses. Gonzalez, the man who scored the 89th minute equaliser, said this week that: “Obviously we have to avoid making errors, but we’ll be happy to maintain our concentration and keep the game goalless”, which could sum up Porto’s attitude on Wednesday evening. United, meanwhile, know that a 1-0 win would see them progress and they have kept clean sheets in their last 3 away knockout games – at Roma, Barcelona & Inter Milan! Despite a high-scoring contest when the sides met in Manchester, this one could turn cagey if the visitors don’t score early (which would obviously force the hosts out of their shell) so I am happy taking unders at the prices on offer.

Recommended Bets - 2 pts - Under 2.5 Goals, 1.9 Betfair



• All prices correct at time of writing.

ABOUT EASYODDS.COM

easyodds.com is a comprehensive sport betting service that helps you find the BEST ODDS on offer from leading bookmakers, betting exchanges and spread betting firms and then helps you place your bet at the BestPrice.

FREE to register!
www.easyodds.com

Andrew Newton
Managing Editor
020 7691 0660