| e Final Preview | | | | scoreless, in 2003 when AC Milan drew 0-0 with |
| Rome seems to be prepared with all the | | | | Juventus. Supremacy spread buyers and sellers |
| burgeoning action, thanks to the Manchester | | | | will note that four of the nine previous finals have |
| United and Barcelona ready for action for a | | | | been settled by penalties and furthermore the last |
| decisive match worth their titles! If you are | | | | two finals in Rome have ended 1-1, both being |
| looking for some fun along the run, there’s | | | | decided 4-2 on penalties. This may open up |
| sports betting that can act as an appetiser. What | | | | opportunities for a worthwhile in-play spread bet, |
| are the things spread bettors should be aware of | | | | especially if one team edges ahead in an |
| before pumping their money? Make an informed | | | | otherwise tight game. |
| decision after a read. With both Manchester United | | | | United and Barca have played each other six |
| and Barcelona clinching their domestic titles with a | | | | times since 1994, each recording one win and |
| week to spare, all eyes can now focus on the | | | | drawing the other four. Buyers of the total goals |
| Champions League final in Rome. Both managers | | | | spread will be pleased that these meetings have |
| have the luxury of being able to rest their team in | | | | averaged 3.5 goals per game, although this is |
| preparation for the final on May 27th and as the | | | | probably tempered by knowledge of |
| Stadio Olimpico prepares to host what is set to | | | | United’s defensive record — |
| be a classic, there is plenty for spread bettors to | | | | they’ve conceded just six goals in Europe |
| get excited about. Barca are eyeing a third | | | | this year. Barca have conceded 13 goals this |
| European title whilst United aim for their fourth | | | | campaign and buyers of their match win index |
| and their second in as many years. Ryan Giggs | | | | spread will be concerned with the lack of |
| has described the game as 50-50’ but | | | | defensive options Guardiola has for the final. |
| the Sporting Index traders make the Catalan | | | | Sellers of the total bookings spread will be |
| giants slight favourites on the outright index | | | | encouraged that United have only picked up six |
| spread at 87-88.5pts (100pts for winner, 75pts | | | | yellow cards in the knockout stages while buyers |
| for runner-up), whilst United are at 86.5-88pts. | | | | of Barcelona’s booking supremacy will be |
| Maybe significantly for spread bettors, Barca has | | | | pleased that Barca have received 12 yellows in |
| been drawn as the home team so United will | | | | the same period plus a controversial red for |
| wear their all-white strip. Buyers of | | | | Abidal against Chelsea. Another popular market is |
| United’s spread may remember it is | | | | Sporting Index’s total goal minutes spread. |
| exactly 18 years since they beat Barcelona 2-1 in | | | | Those buying total goal minutes for the final might |
| the European Cup-Winners’ Cup — | | | | like to know that the last four finals have |
| wearing identical outfits. | | | | accumulated 71, 216, 194 and a staggering 254, |
| Spread bettors looking to get involved in the total | | | | when Liverpool came back from the dead to |
| goals market should be aware that in the last nine | | | | triumph over AC Milan in 2005. The last three |
| finals there have been 25 goals, averaging almost | | | | finals have produced eight goals and notably, half |
| three goals a game. Since 2000 there has only | | | | of those have been scored in the final quarter of |
| been one occasion where the final has been | | | | the game. |