UEFA Champions League Group E supremacy at stake when Villarreal hosts Man U
As match day five of Champions League approaches, Group E supremacy is by no means a decided affair. First place in UEFA Champions League Group E is at stake when the top two sides Manchester United and Villarreal clash, and what is offered in their clash is an opportunity to end any lingering doubts in the Champions League betting market and almost certain progress to the last 16.
Manchester United holds top spot on goal difference but they are tied with Villarreal at eight points, and the Spanish side will try to detach the defending champions from the apex of the Group when they welcome the English club at the El Madrigal on Tuesday. A draw would send the pair through with Man U retaining their position above Villarreal at the top of the group because of their superior goal difference.
Yet there is a tantalizing prospect that each side could be denied qualification by one combination of results that adds more drama to their clash in the sports betting market, and which would then spill over to match day six as one side would be left with some more work to do.
In the hosts’ case, a Man U victory together with a Celtic win at AaB (the second Group E clash) would leave them with work still to do on Match day 6, while the same would apply for United should they lose to Villarreal and AaB beat Celtic.
So with several possible vivid story lines in this sports betting extravaganza here is a look at BetUS Sportsbook’s Champions League soccer betting line on Villarreal vs. Manchester United.
Soccer Betting Line:
Villarreal pk +110 +195 2 O -120 U Ev Draw +165
Manchester United pk -130 +160 2 O -120 U Ev Draw +165
Match Time: 02:45 P.M. Eastern Time Tuesday November 25, 2008
Venue: El Madrigal – Villarreal – Spain
Soccer Betting Analysis:
Villarreal +195: Villarreal has home edge but they enter the match as the odds makers’ underdog. They have gone 2-2-0 so far in the championships, scoring nine goals and conceding five.
Villarreal received a blow when they lost defender Diego Godin, striker Nihat and star striker Joseba Llorente for the UEFA Champions League game against Man U on Tuesday. Llorente leads Villarreal’s scoring charts in both La Liga (six) and Champions League (three). His absence weakens Villarreal’s attacking force.
Manchester United +160: United are the defending champions so there is a lot of pressure on them to advance in to the last 16. Failure to move into the knockout round would be calamitous. Therefore, they know what is at stake here: winning convincingly.
United enters this matchup as the odds makers slight favourite; they have gone 2-2-0 so far in their campaign, scoring seven goals and conceding just one.
However, United’s value was seriously undermined this week when they lost Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov. Berbatov limped out of Wednesday’s friendly against Serbia with a hamstring injury. The Man U striker combined for four of their seven goals in the championships, making him one of four top scorers currently in the championships. Though Man U has many options to replace Berbatov with on the bench, his absence will be missed.
Soccer Betting Verdict: Each side was dealt a blow this weakened: losing a star striker. Whereas Man U has Ronaldo and Rooney namely to turn to, Villarreal has less attractive options. That being said, Villarreal is the only unbeaten side in La Liga this season and they have won four of their five games at the Estadio El Madrigal. Villarreal will be encouraged by the draw they held Man U to in their first Group E fixture at the Old Trafford. And as their second Group E encounter approaches, given their record at El Madrigal, the Spaniards have to fancy their chances for the draw or even better.
Man U narrowly escaped defeat on match day 4 when a Ryan Giggs nod headed the ball into the net.
Soccer Free Picks
Villarreal +195: There is value for the home win at +195; then again, with the odds makers tipping the draw in this match at +165 – a relatively low price tag – it would seem the betting trend would favour a draw. The fact is that both sides would be happy with the draw, as it would ensure their advancement in to the last 16. Considering Man U has been thrifty at the net the Under 2 goals at even odds would be a smart play.
