Barcelona v Man Utd

Top notch betting advice here from Tom, as the big match in Barcelona finished 0-0.

Plenty of caution, plenty of diving and plenty of fortune characterised the first semi-final at Anfield last night but the clash at the Nou Camp this evening promises to be a different proposition altogether and Barcelona’s meeting with Manchester United is surely one of the most eagerly anticipated Champions League encounters in the relatively brief history of the competition.

United enter the tie as favourites on the back of their blistering domestic form and unbeaten run to date in the competition but Barca themselves are yet to taste defeat in the Champions League so far this term and I feel plenty have written them off far too prematurely.

While it is true that Ronaldinho will be missing, and a few of their more established stars are some way short of their best, Barcelona still possess match winners all over the pitch and in Lionel Messi have one of the world’s true greats. His match up against Cristiano Ronaldo is just one of the highlights of what promises to be two games to remember, with the return leg at Old Trafford next Tuesday, and I am finding it hard to split the pair.

Were it not for United’s failings in the latter stages of the Champions League in recent season’s then Sir Alex Ferguson’s side would be a fairly confident pick but the doubt always remains with them when it really matters and Barcelona still have plenty of the side that won the competition just two years ago. That said, United seem to have a sense of maturity about them lacking in recent campaigns and they, like their opponents, also possess match winners throughout their side.

While there is little mystery regarding the starting line-ups one area for me that is key for the visitors is establishing the right balance in midfield and it will be interesting to see which of Anderson, Scholes, Hargreaves or Carrick misses out. Ryan Giggs has come in for recent criticism, but surely he will start on the left, and that will leave Wayne Rooney and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo, as the chief goal threats.

Although it is easy to get carried away with the attacking display on show it must be remembered that this is still the first leg of a Champions League semi-final and a certain amount of restraint is bound to be evident. With that in mind the 1.75 about there being under 2.5 goals looks a shade generous. United have been relatively cautions on their travels so far this season in Europe while Barca are bound to wary of the obvious threats they pose and both also possess more than capable defences.

While I don’t think that either side will sit back throughout, neither will want to lose the tie in the first leg and unlike last night there is the possibility that that could happen were one side to run riot. Both have the capabilities to do so but whatever happens it promises to be a fascinating last four clash and I, for one, can’t wait.