AC MILAN VS MANCHESTER UNITED LATEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TIPS

Fans of Europe’s elite domestic club competition have had to wait a while for its return, but “Good things come to those who wait” as marketers of that heavy Irish stout like to tell us. Finally UEFA have taken the common sense approach and spread out the knockout games over a period of two weeks so that we only have two games per night and it all kicks off with the competitions two most decorated clubs – AC Milan and Real Madrid have 16 titles between them.
Seven time winners AC Milan play host to Manchester United who are aiming to make a third final in a row in what has been billed as the return of David Beckham. He won’t make his return to Old Trafford for another two weeks but he will be keen to make sure that they don’t go their already with an uphill battle. United are the slight favourites with Betfair punters who have them as a 2.8 (9/5) shot with Milan available at 3.0 (2/1) almost a reversal of the prices which were available when the draw was first made.
Both teams have had quite a turnaround of form since they were drawn to play each other in December. At the time Milan were mounting a serious push for the Scudetto in Italy but a defeat and poor performance against rivals Inter all but put pay to their chances and they have since struggled to recapture their form. Manchester United on the other hand are now unbeaten in eight Premier League games and are just one point behind leaders Chelsea, but they do have selection problems ahead of this game. Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic will miss out through injury and Rio Ferdinand has been serving a domestic ban and although he is likely to start may be lacking match fitness.
Although the first games of two legged ties are traditionally cagey affairs United’s defensive frailties may force an open game. Both teams will be looking to seize the advantage ahead of the return tie at Old Trafford and I fancy that mentality to produce goals. You can back Over 2.5 goals at 2.6 (8/5) on Betfair or even Over 1.5 goals at 1.5 (1/2) looks a good value bet.
In the other game of the night it’s across the border and into France where Lyon have the unenviable task of keeping Real Madrid’s latest edition of Galacticos at bay. The home side have endured a stuttering domestic campaign which sees them reside at a lowly fourth in France’s Ligue 1 table going into this game and contrastingly Madrid seem to have gelled as a unit and are playing some magnificent football. They have scored three goals in each of their last three league games and conceded just one in their last four. Madrid are 2.1 (11/10) to win this match and given the form they are in they look a good bet to do so.