Champions League betting – Milan vs Man Utd

AC Milan vs Man Utd betting preview, odds and tips

Two sides who have won the Champions League no fewer than nine times between them – AC Milan (7) Man Utd (2) – prepare to lock horns in the last 16 of the competition on Tuesday evening. The San Siro plays host to two of Europe’s most decorated clubs and whilst their European pedigree’s cannot be doubted; but will the return of David Beckham overshadow the importance of this star-studded clash? Beckham’s Milan are 9/5 with Boylesports to take a first leg lead against United, and the bookmakers are finding this one very tough to call with the Red Devils a short 8/5 price to win in Italy. The draw is chalked up at 11/5 with Bet365.

Winners three years ago, AC Milan scraped through to this years knockout rounds after pipping Marseille to second place in Group C behind group winners Real Madrid. The Rossoneri managed by former Brazil ace Leonardo, amassed just nine points in the group stages but did beat the Galacticos of Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. Ironically, Madrid’s long list of Galacticos consists of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, two players who could have been facing each other on Tuesday had Real President Ramon Calderon not snared the pair last summer. Despite the departures of their key men, the ten other areas on the pitch boast quality, quality which sees both clubs challenging both domestically and in Europe.

Ex- Milan player Leonardo replaced the Chelsea bound Carlo Ancelotti in late 2009, and whilst his side have reached the last 16, they have somewhat played second fiddle to city rivals Internazionale in Serie A. AC currently find themselves third in the league – a massive 8 points behind leaders Inter – and last Friday’s 3-2 win over Udinese ended a four game winless run. A brace from Dutchman Jan Klass Huntelaar ensured the Rossoneri kept pace with second placed Roma and maintained their slim hopes of catching Inter. Milan and United have met just four times in the Champions league in the 2004/2005 and 2006/2007 seasons respectively. However, Manchester United fans look away now because their head to head records don’t make pleasant reading. United have only managed to defeat Milan once in all four of these meetings and that was a 3-2 win at Old Trafford almost three years ago. This result did not prevent the Italian club knocking out the Premier League Champions however, as United couldn’t avoid defeat in the reverse leg at the San Siro. Something they will have to do this time around to increase their chances of progressing to the quarter final stages.

So, Sir Alex Ferguson’s long, illustrious and distinguished career has had just four meetings with AC Milan and if head to head’s are anything to go by, the United chief faces an uphill struggle to outwit his opponents this year. However, Fergie’s side are on a great run of form and the Scot will be delighted with his team’s current level of performance ahead of this crunch tie. United topped Group B with considerable ease with 13 points, losing only once against Besiktas. Master Fergie with all his European experience takes on the apprentice in Leonardo and the former must plot his battle lines in the knowledge that Milan have still to come to Old Trafford to face his 2008 winners.

The midweek draw at Aston Villa ended United’s four game winning run which saw them defeat neighbours City and rivals Arsenal. But Chelsea succumbed to a Louis Saha brace at Everton which meant the point gained at Villa Park closed the gap to just a solitary point between them and the Blues. And with Wayne Rooney in the form of his career, it seems nailed on that the England striker will score at anytime during the tie. Bank on Roon at 15/8 with Boylesports to add to his 23 goals in all competitions this term in the San Siro. Milan’s main goalscoring threat lies with fans’ favourite Ronaldinho who represents good value at 6/1 to open the scoring, young Brazilian starlet Alexandre Pato is next best at 11/2. Goalscoring aside, both teams ooze quality all the way through the park and Hills offer a poor 11/10 that both teams score on Tuesday.

AC Milan’s squad has an average age of 31, but can their experienced veterans stop a rampant United at the San Siro?

The appearance of David Beckham, whether this is a cameo one or the full ninety minutes, it is sure to steal all the headlines either way. Becks is back for a second stint at Milan after returning on loan from LA Galaxy and he has already singled out the return leg at Old Trafford as his ‘big day’ out. Beckham hasn’t played on the hallowed turf he used to once grace weekly during his ten years at United which ended infamously in 2003. His time in Manchester might have ended prematurely but the man dubbed ‘Golden Balls’ will be vying to put one over his former employees. Can Beckham deliver one of his trademark free kicks or can United keep him quiet over the two legs? The bookies think Beckham is a longshot to score in either leg, SkyBet offering a best price of 11/4. To score at Old Trafford Becks is 9/2, he is priced at 2s to receive a yellow card which seems more reasonable than the 20s he is quoted as to receive his marching orders. And finally just for fun on the Beckham specials, the former England skipper is 5/1 to exchange shirts with Wayne Rooney at the final whistle.

Recommended bets: Draw at 11/5 with Bet 365

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