Champions League

Never in doubt… Manchester United obliged 2-0 in Rome.

Manchester United are the only English team in action on the first night of quarter final Champions League action this week and I rate the Red Devils a good bet to return to Old Trafford with a first leg advantage. They travel to the Stadio Olimpico to play Roma, yet again, and Sir Alex Ferguson must be supremely confident of making the last four.

United have established a five point lead domestically and Fergie will be targeting a famous double. His side are at the top of their game right now and know they have the edge over their Italian opponents.

The 1999 winners routed the Serie A side 7-1 in the knockout stage last season at Old Trafford and also returned home with a well earned 1-1 draw having fielded a massively weakened side in the group stages of this year’s competition.

The tournament favourites had already secured top spot and a Gerard Pique goal was enough for them to remain unbeaten. In fact, United are one of just three sides, along with Chelsea and Barcelona, yet to taste defeat in this year’s Champions League.

Both sides enter the game in excellent domestic form, Roma are chasing Inter Milan hard at the top back home, but they are bound to miss playmaker Francesco Totti going forward and influential midfielder Simon Perrotta is also a key absentee.

The visitors, in contrast, can choose from a virtually full strength squad and the return to fitness of Paul Scholes has been a huge boost for the Old Trafford club. His experience centrally should not be underestimated and Scholes has performed superbly in big games of late, he was excellent against Liverpool, and I’d be surprised if United were beaten.

A lay of Roma was tempting but a price of a little over 3.20 looked a shade large to be opposing and instead I’ll take the plunge on the away side emerging victorious. 2.70 or thereabouts looks generous and United have been very well backed in the last 24 hours. They can set up an enthralling semi final with Barcelona by getting the job done in a weeks time with something to spare and are a confident pick.