Champions League Odds: Barcelona vs. Manchester United May 28
Saturday, May 28, 2011
by Bodog Sportsbook
It’s about the best matchup any worldwide soccer fan could ask for as Spanish League superpower Barcelona faces English Premier League kingpin Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final at London’s Wembley Stadium. Barca opened as the even-money favorite on Bodog Sportsbook’s soccer odds, with Man U at +275.
Both historic clubs have won three Champions League titles in their history. This is the 11th meeting all-time between the two – each side has three wins and four draws. Neither side has won consecutive games. The teams have contested two major finals, with Barcelona prevailing in their last meeting in Rome in the 2009 Champions League final while United won the 1991 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup decider in Rotterdam.
Barca’s star is Argentine Lionel Messi, the reigning FIFA Player of the Year who has 52 goals overall on the season. He also scored in Barcelona's 2-0 win over Man United in the 2009 final in Rome. However, Messi is in a bit of a drought right now. He hasn’t scored since netting two in a 2-0 win at Real Madrid in the first leg of the semifinals on April 27 (four games ago). But Messi still leads the Champions League with 11 goals. Barca lost only twice in the 2010-11 La Liga season on the way to the title.
But Manchester United obviously will have the home-field advantage and the Red Devils were unbeaten at Old Trafford during the 2010-2011 Premier League season. Manchester United's 40-year-old goalkeeper, Edwin Van der Sar, will be playing in the final match of his career when he takes the pitch for this one. He has won four Premier League titles and made the crucial penalty save to hand United the Champions League in 2008.
As mentioned above, a victory would give either side a fourth European Cup, which would tie it with Ajax and Bayern Munich behind only Liverpool (five wins), AC Milan (seven) and Real Madrid (nine).
Bet on the Champions League final now at Bodog Sportsbook!
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ac milan - barcelona - bayern munich - edwin van der sar - european cup - lionel messi - liverpool - manchester united - real madrid - uefa champions league