Champions League Finals Even In Betting

Betting has been dead even in the lead-up to the UEFA Champions League final - with three days until the big game, Manchester United and Barcelona are still inseparable in the odds.

Not a single cent separates the two teams at Ladbrokes, William Hill, VC Bet or any of the other major bookmakers.

So having covered the odds in the past couple of weeks, we look at some of the more tempting betting options in this last preview of the big game.

Although Barcelona's low-scoring semi-final victory over Chelsea might indicate otherwise, the 3-2 (28/1 at VC Bet), 4-1 (80/1) and 4-2 (66/1) correct score options on a Barcelona win are value.

Barca has shown itself capable of putting several goals past quality opposition - scoring four and five in victories over Bayern Munich and Lyon in the Champions League, as well as that stunning 6-2 win against Real Madrid in the Primera Liga a few weeks ago. Manchester United's defense is not impenetrable either - Liverpool proved that with four goals at Old Trafford not long ago.

Those confident of a Manchester United victory might look at a lower scoring scenario or take their chances with goal scorers or player of the match options.

With The Sun claiming that Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is set to pick the same team that beat Arsenal in the second leg of the semi-finals, punters would probably want to stay away from Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov in the betting. With Cristiano Ronaldo starting upfront as a lone striker, his favoritism to score first (6.00 at Ladbrokes) seems justified. Ryan Giggs, 15.00, and Park Ji-Sung, 17.00 also provide value for money among the Man U players.

The final takes place Wednesday night at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.