posted November 3, 2009 at 14:25 EST in Soccer Articles
Champions League Betting Group B: Manchester United vs. PFC CSKA Moskva
by Nila Amerova
Manchester United have a stronghold of top spot in Group B after winning all three European fixtures and they will be looking to extend their lead with a second consecutive victory over PFC CSKA Moskva on matchday 4. The Russians meanwhile are in third spot in Group B with a real shot at a second place finish. In that endeavour, new coach Leonid Slutski is tasked and he will hope to lead his men to a last 16 spot with a maximum point haul in their last four matches, starting with a surprise result at the Old Trafford.
Manchester United -1½ +125 -275 2½ O -105 U -115 2 O -105 U -115 Draw +350
CSKA Moscow +1½ -145 +900 2½ O -105 U -115 ½ O +110 U -130 Draw +350
Venue: Old Trafford
Match Time: 02:45 PM Eastern Time Tuesday November 3, 2009
Soccer Betting Verdict: Manchester United need only one more win to clinch top spot in Group B and with three group matches left in the competition proper, achieving the result on matchday four would give the Red Devils room to play with before the knockout stages get underway and allow them to focus on their domestic campaign in the meantime.
Manchester United are second in the table on 25 points after 11 Premier League cycles. They have gone 8-1-2 in domestic action so far; their last loss came just over a week ago at Anfield Stadium but the Red Devils quickly bounced back with victories against Barnsley (Carling League Cup) and Blackburn Rovers (League action). Man U have yet to lose on home turf this season.
PFC CSKA Moskva have been struggling to find any consistency on the domestic front and at the same time to create anything viable on the European front. Coaching changes are the best way sometimes to breathe new life into a club and that was clearly the reasoning behind the decision to sack Ramos last week. The new man at the helm Leonid Slutski is only the third man this season to attempt to make something happen for the Russian outfit and he is timed to do it, maybe slightly unfairly, ahead of a clash against European heavyweights Man U.
That said, the Russians played a good match against Man U a fortnight ago and they were unfortunate to lose. Man U will be mindful of their narrow escape in Moscow and Sir Alex Fergusson will be wary of the threat a rejuvenated CSKA Moskva poses under new stewardship.
Man U are all the same the favourites to win outright and the Russians the underdogs. CSKA Moskva are arguably underestimated however, listed at discouraging odds of +900. Some believe they have the potential to create a surprise result and that they will be more vested in this match than the whopping odds would suggest. If Man U win, the likeliest result in the minds of the majority, it will be by the narrowest of margins. Betting on Man U’s -275 odds is not as relevant a play as taking Moskva at +900 to deliver an upset against Man U – almost as equivalent as Rubin’s victory over Barcelona a fortnight ago. Of course, that bet is for the strong willed bettor and not the light-hearted kind.
