2009 UEFA SUPER CUP BARCELONA VS SHAKHTAR DONETSK BETTING TIPS

One of the biggest one-off matches in the world is just a few hours away as Barcelona and Shakhtar Donetsk prepare to do battle for the European Super Cup. This is always a solid match and is usually played at a full tempo with a very well-defined favourite/underdog scenario. I think it will be an exciting and very profitable betting opportunity. In terms of the 1X2 betting, Barcelona are 2/5 while Shakhtar are listed at 13/2. The draw pays out at 7/2 and that's not bad value over 90 minutes. In regards to the outright betting, Barca carry a 1/6 price while Shakhtar are at 7/2, this includes extra time and penalties. Speaking of extra time and penalties, the method of victory betting looks quite solid to me with Barcelona to win in 90 minutes listed at 2/5. An extra-time victory for the Catalans would pay 8/1 while a win on penalties is an enticing 14/1. Shakhtar are 13/2 in 90 minutes, 18/1 in extra time and 16/1 to win the Super Cup on penalties. Blue Square has set their handicap at Barcelona (-1.0) and you can get that well-priced at evens. Due to the gulf between the two teams, there's a great chance Barca could run up a big total here. You can take Shakhtar at (+1.0) for 7/4 or the handicap draw at 3/1. Correct score betting is usually where the big money is at, and anybody fancying Barcelona to put up a big total today could be in for a solid payout. Barcelona 3-0 pays out at a mere 9/1, so you can tell that the bookies think they'll do the business of the Ukrainians. I like the looks of 4-1 and 5-1 at 22/1 and 66/1, respectively. 4-2 is a plausible scoreline for what is really a hyped-up exhibition match and you'll be looking at 66/1. Should Shakhtar pull this one off you're looking at a tidy pay-out. 1-0 is 18/1, 2-1 is 28/1 while 3-2 is 80/1. Lionel Messi is the favourite player to score at 5/6 anytime and 7/2 first and last. Big Zlatan Imbrahimovic is also odds-on to score at 10/11. Bojan Krkic and Thierry Henry are both available at 6/5 anytime while Andres Iniesta is listed at 12/5. Xavi is at 3/1 anytime while Rafa Marquez pays 8/1 to score at any point in the match. For the Ukrainian side, Luiz Adriano is at 3/1 and Julius Aghahowa is listed at the same price. Jadson is at 7/2 while Fernandinho is at 4/1. Dario Srna is a quality player and he's 6/1 anytime. Razvan Rat is priced at 10/1. SCORECAST TIPIbrahimovic/2-1 @ 33/1