European Cup Finals Attract Bets

The Champions League final is just around the corner, but that's not all that will attract betting attention, with cup finals being held this week in several European countries.

England's FA Cup is one of the oldest-running competitions in the world, having begun way back in 1871.

Newly crowned premiers Chelsea will start strong favorites in Saturday's final, but one would be wise not to rule out opponents Portsmouth, who will be playing on emotion.

The Pompey, who have made the headlines for all the wrong reasons this year due to the club's huge debt and eventual relegation from the Premier League, go into the match 12/1 underdogs at William Hill Sports, against Chelsea, 1/6. A draw is paying 13/2.

Didier Drogba is favorite to score first, with Ladbrokes offering 11/4 odds.

Sevilla goes into the final of Spain's Copa Del Rey, being played next Wednesday, as slight favorites. William Hill is offering odds 4/7 on the four-time champions, while Atlético Madrid is only a slight underdog at 5/4.

Bayern Munich plays the first of two big games in Saturday's German Cup final, when it takes on Werder Bremen. Munich, which plays Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final a week later, is the German Cup favorite, 5/6 at Ladbrokes, ahead of Bremen, who are 13/5.