[kompressaur]

22 Apr 19:45 Liverpool v Chelsea 13/10 2/1 5/2
23 Apr 19:45 Barcelona v Man Utd 6/4 21/10 2/1
Bet365

[kompressaur]

Liverpool best priced 11/8 Vcbet
Chelsea 28/11 Pinnacle
Barcelona 23/15 Pinnacle
Man Uts 13/6 Pinnacle

[slick]

Big Match Stats from the BBC.

Liverpool V Chelsea
Overall head-to-heads

Liverpool and Chelsea have had 150 major competitive meetings; Liverpool lead by 58 wins to 44, with 28 draws.

They have met 18 times since the start of the 2004-05 season, when Rafael Benitez took over as Liverpool manager. The Reds have won five, drawn five and lost eight.

This season, they drew 1-1 in the Premier League at Anfield; Fernando Torres gave the Merseysiders a half-time lead, but Frank Lampard equalised from the penalty spot.

Then, under Avram Grant, the Blues won the Carling Cup quarter-final 2-0 at Stamford Bridge with goals from Lampard and Andriy Shevchenko. The league fixture on 19 February in West London was a goalless draw.

European head-to-heads

This is the fourth successive season in which Liverpool and Chelsea have met in the Champions League. There have been only three goals in the six previous fixtures, with Liverpool winning 1-0 on two occasions and Chelsea by the same score once.

This is also the third Champions League semi-final between the two teams. Liverpool have progressed to the final from each of the previous two.

Liverpool have played an English club at Anfield on seven previous occasions, losing just once (to Leeds in the 1970-71 Fairs Cup semi-final); Chelsea have won two of their five European away matches against English opposition - both defeats came at Anfield. Liverpool is the only English club to have knocked Chelsea out of Europe, and they have done it twice.

European history

Liverpool have won the Champions Cup/Champions League five times (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984 and 2005) and the Uefa Cup three times (1973, 1976 and 2001). The Reds were Champions League runners-up last season, after losing the final 2-1 against AC Milan. They also lost 1-0 to Juventus in the 1985 European Cup final, in tragic circumstances at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels.

This match is Liverpool's 15th European semi-final and they have progressed to the final on 11 of the previous 14 occasions. It is the ninth time they've made the last four of the Champions Cup/Champions League. They have progressed from seven of the previous eight, losing only the first one, to Inter Milan, in 1964-65.

Chelsea's biggest successes in European competition are their two Cup Winners' Cup victories. They won the trophy in 1971 and 1998. They also won the European Super Cup in 1998.

In the Champions League, the Londoners have now reached the semi-finals four times, in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. They've been eliminated at that stage on all three previous occasions, and from six of their eight European semis.

Current European form

Liverpool are undefeated in seven matches in the Champions League, since a 2-1 reverse to Besiktas in Turkey on 24 October 2007. The Reds have won their last four Champions League home matches, and have not been defeated at Anfield in this competition since 3 October 2007, when Olympique Marseille won 0-1.

Chelsea's only defeat in 10 Champions League outings since their loss to Liverpool in last season's semi-finals, was 2-1 in the opening leg of the quarter-final, away to Fenerbahce on 2 April.

Player and disciplinary info

Chelsea's Michael Essien is suspended for this match; Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fabio Aurelio will be suspended for the second leg if shown a yellow card.

Fernando Torres has scored in each of Liverpool's last seven home matches in all competitions.

Jose Reina and Carragher have started and completed all of Liverpool's CL matches this season. Gerrard and Sami Hyypia have also played in all 10 of Liverpool's CL matches this season.

Claude Makelele has reached a Champions League semi-final for the eighth time in his career. He was already in possession of the record for the competition and is the only player to reach more than six Champions League semis.

Joe Cole, Makelele and Essien have played in all 10 of Chelsea's CL matches this season.

If selected, John Obi Mikel will be playing on his 21st birthday, and Nicolas Anelka will be facing one of his former clubs.

Other miscellaneous facts

These clubs are separated by two places and nine points in the Premier League table after victories in their last matches.

Liverpool won 0-2 at Fulham on Saturday, and are now eight points ahead of Everton with three to play, and virtually assured of a fourth placed finish and a guaranteed place in the qualifiers for next season's Champions League.

Chelsea won 0-1 at Everton on Thursday night, and are on 78 points, three points behind leaders Manchester United.

Liverpool have lost one of their last 14 in all competitions, and have won the last three; Chelsea are undefeated in four (three wins, one draw), and have lost one of their last 10 league and cup outings.



Barcelona v Man U
Head-to-heads

FC Barcelona and Manchester United have met seven times in a European club competition. Both clubs have won twice and three matches were drawn. The goal difference is 15-13 in favour of the Spaniards.

One of these encounters was the final of the 1991 Cup Winners Cup, played in Rotterdam and won by United (2-1).

The last two meetings were in the 1998-99 season, when both matches in the Champions League ended in spectacular 3-3 draws. Four players from the current Manchester United squad featured in those matches: Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Wes Brown; Barcelona's only survivor is Xavi.

European history

Barcelona have won the Champions Cup/ Champions League twice, in 1992 and 2006. They have also amassed four Cup Winners' Cups, three Fairs Cups and two European Super Cups.

This is the 23rd season in which Barcelona has reached the semi-finals of a European club competition. They progressed 14 times and were knocked out eight times. It is the ninth time they have reached the last four in the Champions Cup/Champions League, not including the semi-final group stage in 1991-92. They went on to reach the final four times and were eliminated four times.

Manchester United have won three European trophies - the 1967-68 Champions Cup, 1990-91 Cup Winners' Cup and 1998-99 Champions League. The final for the most recent of those was staged in Barcelona's Camp Nou Stadum, when Bayern Munich were defeated 2-1.

This is the 13th time that United have reached the semi-finals of a European club competition. They were knocked out nine times, but went on to win the trophy all three times they progressed. It is also the 10th time the Red Devils have qualified for the last four of the Champions Cup/Champions League. They went on to reach the final twice and were eliminated on the other seven occasions.

Last season, Barcelona reached the last 16 of the CL and were eliminated by Liverpool; United got to this semi-finals and were knocked out by eventually winners AC Milan.

Current European form

Barcelona and Manchester United are both unbeaten this Champions League season.

Barce have won five on the spin in this competition, and are unbeaten in 11 since the 1-2 home defeat by Liverpool on 21 February 2007. They have also won their last five home matches in the Champions League, and kept clean sheets in each of the last three at the Camp Nou.

United are undefeated in 10 CL matches, since losing 3-0 at AC Milan in last May's semi-final second leg. They have won their last three home and away, and have not conceded a single goal in those games.

Player and disciplinary info

Carles Puyol (Barcelona) is suspended for this match. Lionel Messi, Yaya Toure, Rafael Marquez and Gabriel Milito are all one yellow card away from suspension. Manchester United's Nani and Patrice Evra will also be suspended upon receiving a yellow card.

Puyol and Xavi have played 74 Champions League matches for Barcelona, a club record.

If selected, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes will both make their 100th appearances in the Champions League; Neville made his CL debut in a 3-1 defeat at IFK Gothenburg on 23 November 1994, Scholes' first taste of CL action was in the home 2-2 draw with Barcelona on 19 October 1994.

Cristiano Ronaldo is this season's CL top scorer with seven goals.

Other miscellaneous facts

Mark Hughes, Laurent Blanc, Jordi Cruijff and Henrik Larsson have represented both clubs.

On Saturday, Barcelona's derby clash with RCD Espanyol ended in a goalless draw. The defending Spanish champions are third in the Primera Division trailing league leaders Real Madrid by 11 points.

The Premier League's reigning champions, Manchester United, drew 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday, and hold a three point lead over Chelsea at the top of the table, as they vye for a 17th English league championship.

[edinlichtie]

Got to be a very cagey match tonite. Odds on 0-0 are quite low, 7.0 best priced, so i'll go for draw/draw HT/FT instead @ 4.8, giving a bit of cover if we get a couple of goals (for different teams, in the same half!!)

[selectabet]

Just a wee preview from me blog...

Much has been made of the fact that this time around the first leg is at Anfield and many feel that it’s advantage Chelsea already just because they’ll be at home in the second leg.

Tonight, Liverpool will feel they need to get a good result to take to Stamford Bridge, otherwise they’ll need to overturn a recent run of horrendous form against the Blues that hasn’t seen them score in the last 4 games there. Indeed there haven’t been many goals in games between these two at all recently, just 9 in the last 7 matches - so don’t expect this one to be a thriller.

It’s a tough one to call. Rafa Benitez appears to have his European tactics down to a tee, whereas Avram Grant still has a bit to prove to the Chelsea faithful about his astuteness in the big games. He got it wrong big time against Spurs in the Carling Cup final but he now has the chance to go one better than the revered Jose Mourinho by taking the Blues to their first Champions League final in Moscow in May. But to do so he’ll need to get past a team that have been there and done it in recent years.

Liverpool are aiming for their third final appearance in five years, the previous two saw them dispose of Chelsea at this stage too. And Benitez has arguably had an easier preparation to the game than his counterpart. He was able to rest several first team regulars in a 2-0 win over Fulham at the weekend, whilst Chelsea have doubts over Didier Drogba as well as having to replace two midfield mainstays in Michael Ballack and Michael Essien who are both suspended. Chelsea are still chasing Manchester United for the title with no room for error, but Liverpool look like they can now concentrate on winning the Champions League given that 4th place look fairly secure.

Everything for me points to a Liverpool win tonight (and I think they’ll qualify for the final). I think they’re in better form than Chelsea and there’s just something about them in this competition. Chelsea will have revenge on their minds but there must also be a psychological barrier for them to overcome given that the Reds have dumped them out the competition twice. I’ve no doubt that Rafa has the measure of Grant and will take the first leg lead tonight. The Reds are best priced at 27/20 with Centrebet and I still think this is worth a punt.

I don’t expect there to be too many goals and neither do the bookies. Under 2.5 goals is a ridiculously priced 1/2 (888 Sport, BetDirect, Betfred, BlueSq, Skybet, Stan James, VCBet) and it’s hardly worth getting involved in.

A tempting bet for me is for Liverpool to win it by a couple of goals. I think they’ll keep it tight at the back but can see them breeching the Chelsea defence. A 2-0 win is best priced at 10/1 with Centrebet and Skybet and I’ll have a small interest in that one.

[ONEDUNME]

Inspiring pre match interview with Jon Terry there.


Almost as inspiring as the one he gave before England's last chance game in the qualifiers. All about the players standing up and taking responsibility and walking the walk.

Oh, and the last chance game after that when they'd fucked the previous last chance up.

And, thinking about it, the fighting talk before the game when they got knocked out of the World cup.

Brilliant. Inspiring stuff.

[kompressaur]

cracking stuff ...ooops i forgot Chelsea equalised. Unlucky Selectabet. could have been a cracker.

Whats the bets on tonight's game folks?

[Mrs. Smith]

Originally Posted by kompressaur

Whats the bets on tonight's game folks?

thinking about over 3,5, was thinking about ManUtd winning by two goals, but friend told me I'm an idiot, I burried him under the tree, and decided to skip it. Being close to draw, and 2-2 correct score, hope it's going to be AW and 2-3, so you play HW, because the luck I get lately
Probably only bet I'm going to take is over 3,5. They played 5 times, and every time it was more than 3,5 goals, and I have juicy odds 3,85
So here I go, winning ticket is in the pocket, gonna buy few beers, and get my baseball bat from closet, just in case it goes wrong, under or HW, so I can get all of the bad energy out on my husband
hope it won't be boring, The game, not husband

Manchester Utd vs. FC Barcelona

3:1

FC Barcelona vs. Manchester Utd

3:3

Manchester Utd vs. FC Barcelona

3:3

FC Barcelona vs. Manchester Utd

4:0

Manchester Utd vs. FC Barcelona

2:2

[AnothrSpacecat]

i think barca have been underestimated for tonight at the odds, united would take a scoring defeat imo at 2-1.

not that theyd have a choice if the home side turn up, the away leg could be a similar story.


ignoring the gambling perspective, i think barcelona will approach this game in the same way valencia approached the first leg of the Spanish cup final. both have had relatively poor seasons but remain fairly strong in terms of personnel and will be out to prove it against sides fancied in the markets. ive no doubt theyll be up for it tonight and totally switched on to the threat united will pose on the break, theyll hold no fear of united in the way premiership sides do.

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by AnothrSpacecat

ignoring the gambling perspective, i think barcelona will approach this game in the same way valencia approached the first leg of the Spanish cup final.

The Spanish cup final is only one leg

I quite like the look of Mrs Smith's over 3.5 goals bet, especially with Puyol missing for Barca and Vidic missing for Man Utd. Taken that at 4.5.

Also gone with Iniesta (9.2) and Xavi (10) for anytime scorers. Frequently this season when their bigger name players have failed to shine, these two have been the ones to take the game by the scruff of the neck and drag them into contention.

[AnothrSpacecat]

rcgills, youre failing to recognise the quality of my info and picks from football outwith scotland still. you really need to get your 3d specs on to see where the value in my selections lie.

ive backed barcelona to win tonight over 90 minutes which should be laid of the board by the rest of the forum

[Betfly]

I have taken Barca @ 6/4

They've only CL left & Messi will run the show.

Man U will be take 1-0 defeat back to Old Traff

Then they'll win Prem on Sat....


C'mon Barca

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by AnothrSpacecat

rcgills, youre failing to recognise the quality of my info and picks from football outwith scotland still. you really need to get your 3d specs on to see where the value in my selections lie.

In 3D vision do they play an extra leg in the Spanish cup final?

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

I am on Barca at just over 7/4.

Absolute insane price that is and you won't find them that price too often at home.

United have set up counter attacking but i am quite happy with Barca line up. As Spacecat says they are being hugely underestimated for this game.

Had heart in mouth straight off from pen

Decent sized bet for me.

GL.

[AnothrSpacecat]

poor show barca. even worse show from united, game panned out as expected, they just couldnt get the breakthrough

0-0