[selectabet]

A wee preview from my blog...

For once, Fergie got it wrong at the weekend. He showed that his priority lies in landing his elusive 2nd Champions League and not yet another Premier League title. How else can you explain his team selection without the frankly irreplaceable Ronaldo? Tomorrow night he has the chance to redeem himself and show that he could indeed afford to sacrifice 3 points at Stamford Bridge in favour of a place in the Champions League final.

Out-of-form Barcelona visit Old Trafford off the back of another defeat in La Liga away to Deportivo La Coruna. They too will also claim that their focus is on winning the Champions League rather than chasing domestic glory. But the recent run of form must be a huge worry for Frank Rijkaard. Barca look like a team that cannot buy a win at the moment as their big name players continually fail to deliver. Fortunately tomorrow they do not need to win. Any kind of score draw would be enough for the Catalans to progress and this might just be the best they can hope for.

If Nemanja Vidic fails to make the United line-up then Barca might feel they can exploit the perceived weakness in the Red Devil’s defence. There is no doubting the attacking prowess of Messrs. Henry, E’oto and Messi but whether they will ‘turn up’ is a different matter.

For their part, United aren’t short of attacking options either and the biggest surprise from the first leg was that both teams failed to find the net. I can’t see this one finishing 0-0 again and so that rules out penalties - although the 25/1 (PP) on each of the teams to win from spot kicks looks very tempting.

Barcelona are 18/5 (VCBet) to win - remember they don’t need to - but tellingly they are much shorter at just 5/4 (Boylesports, Centrebet, Ladbrokes) to qualify for the final. United are 8/11 (Paddy Power) to qualify and Evens (Bet365, Boylesports, Canbet, PartyBets) to win the game in the 90 minutes.

The last 4 ties between these two have finished level and Barcelona have done well on their European travels this season, winning 3 and drawing the other two. In Thierry Henry they also have a man who has a point to prove. It’s fair to say that his dream move hasn’t worked out well this season but he has a chance to really make an impact at the home of his old foes. There’s no doubt Barca will create chances tomorrow and it might come down to who is most clinical in front of goal.

I can barely split the two. All logic tells me that it’s United who will qualify. They’re at home. They’re in better form. They look like their name is on the cup. But. Something is niggling me that this Barcelona team shouldn’t be written of either. This is their season tomorrow. Their cup final. And that is a dangerous proposition.

When I started writing this I was clear on backing United, then half way through changed it to Barcelona, now I’m back at United again. Before I change my mind once more… I’m going to go with Man Utd. At 1/1 (Bet365, Boylesports, Canbet, PartyBets) it’ll be a small wager though and I’ll be keeping my eye open on the in-running betting in case I change my mind again!