This week's Champions League Betting Preview

The Champions League resumes this week with an intriguing set of second round ties. Many of the big names have been drawn together, and so a number of high profile casualties can be expected.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Casting an eye over the outright winner market, and it is very noticeable how little there is to separate the top eight teams. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Chelsea and Barcelona are 7/1joint favourites but can anyone say with real confidence which team will come out on top in their two-legged meeting. Similarly AC Milan, also available at 7/1 must face a much improved Manchester United (12/1) of late. The new Serie A leaders are though without their star striker Andre Shevchenko who fractured a cheekbone at the weekend. Man U of course have a proven pedigree in this competition with numerous visits to the knock-out stages in recent years. However, my nagging doubt about the United is their goalkeeper who at times this season has made critical mistakes. The same argument applies to Arsenal (10/1), who have looked vulnerable in defence, especially when they are without Sol Campbell. The Gunners are a force going forward but as Madrid have shown a poor back five will be exploited by the best. The team that does look well suited to mount a serious challenge on the Champions League is Inter Milan, available at a best price 12/1. Inter will face the defending champions in the second round, which is actually a good thing. Port are hardly the force they were under Jose Mourinho last season and were somewhat fortunate in qualifying from their group. In stark contrast Inter dominated their group, and crucially look to have recently cured their defensive deficiencies. With such an array of attacking talent Inter will cause problems to any team in the competition. Adriano and Christian Vieri have formed a promising partnership up front and are supported by a highly creative midfield. Unlike the majority of other leading contenders, Inter don't have the added problem of a league title to battle for. Whilst they may be unbeaten and lying third, they are a long way of the pace in the Scudetto.Assuming Porto are defeated, the quarterfinal draw is likely to throw up another winnable fixture with so many of the top sides likely to be gone. If they do make it to the last four, anything can happen as Porto and Monaco proved last year.