Man Utd vs. AC Milan: CL Betting Preview

It's crunch time in the Champions League as the last 16 second legs loom large and there are any number of NFL jerseys fascinating clashes in prospect over the next week or so.

Manchester United are firmly in the driving seat in their tie with AC Milan, the English side will defend a 3-2 advantage on home soil, and while I predict the Red Devils will advance with ease there is definitely some value to be had in the total goals market.

Having missed the weekend win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, which took United back to the Premier League summit, star man Wayne Rooney is once again a doubt for the clash with Leonardo's men and his absence would be a blow to the hosts.



United laboured for long periods at Molineux without their leading scorer, Paul Scholes proving the late hero for the visitors with his 100th career Premier League strike in the 1-0 win, and I can only envisage a low scoring clash once more - even if Rooney makes an unexpected recovery.

In the knowledge that AC Milan must almost certainly triumph by two clear goals to progress to the quarter finals, an unlikely 4-3 win would also be sufficient, I think it highly probable that Sir Alex Ferguson will pack the midfield in a bid to stifle the away side's threat and chances could well be at a premium.

United have battered lesser sides at Old Trafford this season but the visitors are no mugs and Milan are likely to be patient in their pursuit of overturning the first leg deficit.

Despite their second half capitulation at the San Siro against Wednesday's opponents, AC are likely to be difficult to breakdown in their bid not to be out of the contest early on and the hosts could well enjoy large periods of possession without much penetration given striker Michael Owen is also out of the reckoning with a season-ending hamstring injured sustained in the Carling Cup triumph over Aston Villa at Wembley.

The Italians were held to a goalless draw at Roma on the weekend, they remain adrift of city rivals Inter in the title race, and given their 14 domestic games away from home have produced just 28 goals the value lies in the unders at a generous looking 1.91 with a host of firms.

It is sure to be a cagey encounter and I have it priced much closer to the 1.70 mark.