LADBROKES 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL BETTING TIPS

Ladbrokes still has Barcelona listed as the outright favourite for the 2009 Champions League title and after seeing their whole-hearted two-leg demolition of Bayern Munich you don't blame the bookies for fancying them one-bit. Currently, Barcelona are listed at 2.5 for the outright victory compared to Manchester United's 3.25. That's solid odds and once again we've got a guaranteed English team in the final once again. Platini must be absolutely crapping himself over this. Barcelona are head-and-shoulders the best team on the continent and quite possibly in Europe. I would venture a guess that United will go into the Arsenal match as firm favourites and there will be a lot more than a Champions League place at stake in this one. We may even be lucky enough to see a revival of the much-vaunted mind games between Fergie and Arsene Wenger. Arsenal are listed at 5.0, the longest odds, to secure an unlikely Champions League. Personally, I think that form goes out the window in the semi-finals and Arsenal are much more difficult than their league position suggests. I can see the first match (likely at the Emirates) being 0-0, but I think the 2nd leg will be an absolute goal-feast. Fergie will likely try to spring a few surprises here and I am very confident that we'll have Macheda on the bench, which always adds to the excitement. What odds do you think you could get on Macheda scoring the winning goal of the 2009 Champions League?Barcelona vs Chelsea will be the toughest test of Guus Hiddink's club-level career. A United-Chelsea re-match would be very exciting for everybody in England but may not be as enthralling to continental fans. Barcelona will be big favourites going into this one and I actually think it plays to Chelsea's advantage. Barca are effectively the best team in the world right now, but that doesn't always win you games. Chelsea are listed at 4.5 to win the Champions League. RECOMMENDATION:A Manchester United-Barcelona final with Man U winning it 2-1 in regular time.