posted April 22, 2008 at 18:11 EST in Soccer Betting Trends

On the road to Moscow, the setting of the Champions League final is Barcelona and Manchester United, the second matchup in the Champions League semi-final round scheduled for April 23, 2008. Manchester United is on the road to Camp Nou Stadium – the scene of their lone Champions League triumph in 1998/99 season – and with the distant memory of glory on the field in Camp Nou, what soccer bettors in the know need to consider, before wagering on the clash of the two titans in European soccer, is whether the recent desperate play of Barcelona will be enough to stop Manchester United’s determined advance to the finale of one of Europe’s most prestigious competitions.

BETUS SOCCER FUTURES

Barcelona To Qualify for Final +140

Manchester United To Qualify for Final -170

One glance at the future odds, and clearly, Manchester United is the favorite team to emerge as the victor in this matchup. The bookies favour the English Premier League side at -170 to win outright the semi-final round against Barcelona. I would agree. Barcelona is seriously out of form, while Manchester United has only been getting better, not only in the European competition but in Premiership competition as well.

Barcelona vs. Manchester United

Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

Match Time: 11:30 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday April 23, 2008

In terms of the first leg of this semi-final encounter, the following is a breakdown of how I expect this match to play out.

Team: Barcelona

Spread: PK -135

Moneyline: +150

Total Team Points: Over 1 -135 Under 1 +105

Draw: +200

Analysis: Barcelona is the home team. By virtue of home field advantage, Barcelona is slightly favoured against Manchester United, but upon closer inspection of the money line, soccer bettors will notice both teams have underdog odds. At +150 underdog odds, one would think betting on the home side to win is a steal, but before you lay your wager down, you should know that on home turf, in the last five home games, Barcelona has won only two, the other three resulted in a tie. Betting on Barcelona to draw would be better than risking money on a win.

Further trouble for Barcelona comes from their bench: It is no secret that star Ronaldinho is but one butt-cheek off the team, Henry does not quite fit in, and Messi and Etoo are on the injury list (but good news comes with word of Messi’s reinstatement, although it remains to be seen whether he will play the full 90 minutes). If truth were told, had Barcelona not received a favourable draw with Celtic and Schalke in Champions League knock-out stages, they would not have made it this far.

Team: Manchester United

Spread: PK +115

Moneyline: +185

Total Points: Under 2 +120

Total Team Points: Under 1 -105 Over 1

Draw: +200

Analysis: Nine years ago, Sir Alex Ferguson led United to the Champions League title, thanks to Solksjear and Sheringham's stoppage-time efforts. Camp Nou was a lucky stadium for United once before, and unless the wheel of fortune turns on Wednesday, United could repeat history on this very field, solving the dilemma already in the first match against the out-of-form Barcelona.

At +185 underdog odds, with everyone agreeing Manchester United are the favorites, their price tag is simply too good to be true.

Betting Verdict: United is in form. Their biggest advantage against Barcelona is their dramatic speed and the combined feet of Ronaldo and Rooney, whose twinkle-toes have been responsible for many a goal in European competition.

Soccer Free Picks:

Future Pick: Manchester United -170. This is a no-brainer, Manchester United is the better side.

Over/Under: Over 2 goals: With some good scorers on both sides, should the game be open, I expect there will be goals scored on both sides. Take the Over 2 goals.

Money line Pick: Manchester United +185: Even though the first leg is played away, just like in Rome, I expect Manchester United to go on the attack, solving the dilemma already in the first leg and returning home with the clear initiative in the second leg.

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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.