X 2

no funds to gamble right now, just a feeling i have from watching united more than from watching arsenal in the past few weeks.

for the first time in a long long time, united seem to have lost that air of invincibility. they look to be somewhat tired which is understandable given the number of games they have played in the past couple of years. fergie has done well to ensure that the squad is as big as it is because they are needing every member to keep going at present. this macheda fella has taken some of the focus away from the poor performances in the prem the last couple of games, and they havent feel been a force in europe either ever since the second leg of the inter tie.

avatars + sigs?

sure, i'm game for that.

Cool... we can decide what we want each others' avatars/sigs to be closer to the time, but what are we betting on? Arsenal still have to beat Chelsea before they'd get to play us (we have to beat Everton too), so should we just bet on the Champions League?

champions league for now.

if and when both teams get through in the fa cup, we can reschedule other terms for that final. sound good?

I'd bet sig, av that Barca wins the champions league and you can pick one of the other 3

Booked.


I think we've had our blip for the season.. and it was highlighted by a few injuries at the wrong time. There's no glossing over the fact we've been off form recently, but with the return of Vidic/Ferdinand to full fitness and Rooney/Berbatov/Tevez all free from injury/suspension, this is the catalyst to get us right back on track. I thought it was a very solid, professional performance.


Surprised you even want to bet on the FA Cup too... remember what we did to you last year!

So, I can bet the field against Barcelona? Or do I have to choose one team right now?

Well obv I'd prefer you take a team but I assume they are the favorites so whatever you'd take.

Hmmm.. ok booked. I'll bet that Barcelona doesn't win it then. So, if any of the other 3 teams win it, I win the bet.


We beat Barcelona last year and I wouldn't be surprised if Chelsea beat them in the semis anyway. I think that Barcelona can get overrated easily, because the Spanish league simply doesn't have the strength in depth that the English league does. I mean, look at what Arsenal did to Villareal tonight.

So, when you see Barca putting in these beautiful performances in La Liga, it doesn't mean they can do it against the very top sides English sides... and they'll have to get past two if they want to win.

I agree wit this. When Man U were on fire a 2 months ago (its bizarre how they fell apart) and Barca they were the two best teams in the world but Barca can be taken in the champions league and definitely Chelsea can do it. They are pure class though.

I would not be willing to put money on Man U against Arsenal. Man U have been shakey and in Arsenals first 13 they lost 5, in their last 18 they are unbeaten I think with like 2 draws. They are silently being the animals they are known for, every Man U fan should be scared.

In their last 18, they've had 7 draws and 1 defeat (although they won the tie against Roma on penalties). If you look at the opposition too, the best side they've played has been Villareal (or Everton, in the League).


Hey, I'm not saying it will be easy but if we can edge a victory at Old Trafford, (especially if we can prevent them from scoring) I think we'll go through.

In fact, you said you wouldn't put money on United.. fair enough.... do you wanna put some money on Arsenal then? Cheeky tenner or something?

Ever since your uncanny bet with our scottish friend about west ham chelsea I made a mental note to not bet with you unless 300% confident and this match up is completely unpredictable. Should be great though.


And yes I said "our scottish friend" because I can never remember if its LJB of LBJ. Pretty sure its LJB now looking at it.

LJB man! It's not that hard!

if it helps they tested me for dyslexia every year in school.

All this betting talk all of a sudden and you don't take the bait? Oh I'm disappointed in you!

I actually like your side on the bets you've made so I'm not going to bet against you for a change. GL.

omg what have I done? Is it too late to change my bets?!

I guess we'll forget the FA Cup bet then.


At least you got the second part of your statement correct, I agree we're heading in different directions!

oh for a decent goalie right now, and a few less injuries would be nice. i still have high hopes in the champs league though and for next season in the league

Ok... the games are upon us. Kind of a strange one, but after looking everything over, I'm going for:


Barcelona 2 - 3 Chelsea


I think Messi will disappoint (oh, that will probably end up with egg on my face), after all the hype... I believe Chelsea will be able to contain him more than any other team has this season (Bosingwa must have a great game), but I expect Henry to be more of a threat. Chelsea have a stronger midfield than Barca are used to playing imo, so maybe Xavi and Iniesta won't be quite as effective as usual. I'm really hoping for a great game, and let's hope the ref isn't too card happy and just lets the game play without getting overly involved.


And Chelsea to sneak through with a draw back at Stamford Bridge.

just to be contrary, i'd go with Barca 1 -0 with Eto the goalscorer in the 2nd half. Essien may well be the most important player in this whole tie and if Chelsea progress i think we'll see him named mom twice.

2-1 Barca Messi, Henry with goals

I'd be very surprised if Chelsea didn't at least get an away goal... if you saw their match at the weekend against Valencia, they do struggle at times defending corners/set pieces, with not much aerial presence. Drogba could be a huge menace, if they play to their strengths and gain some momentum in the match.

4-1 to Barcelona. I just think the occaision may well get to Chelsea, If they try play an attacking game Barca will tear them apart.

Chelsea will score. Barca will just score more.

fwiw these are the bets I've put on this evening's game:

Barcelona win 1u 1.7u return
Eto'o score at any time 1u 2.25u return
Drogba score at any time 1u 3.75u return
Over 2.5 goals 1u 2.5u return
Barcelona score in both halves 1u 2.75u return

Just to add a little extra spice to what should be a cracking game!

nf sdajfosdjfioadsfj o;idsa fjoaid;sf jsad;foiasdjfdsa Barcelona should be winning

ouch, tough beat man. what was probably the last result anyone expected i'm guessing - petr cech looked back to his best tonight though. should be an interesting 2nd leg but i think the Arsenal/United game will be better - just like the prem game earlier this year.

Man, that UEFA site is awesome...

Heh, luckily my units aren't very much. Tbh though I really enjoyed the game. Barca played some nice stuff (Iniesta was very good inparticular and Dani Alves impressed me) but Chelsea matched it defensively as they obviously set out to do. Bosingwa was solid, Essien did the work of 3 players as he likes to do and Alex and Terry played their part well.

I disagree with the commentators that Chelsea have the upper hand as Barca won't play like Chelsea did so are very capable of scoring another draw is enough for them and 1-1, 2-2 is a very likely outcome for next week.

Arsenal Man U should be a good, yet different to tonight's game. Arsenal will miss Arshavin but these 2 know each other inside out. Should be a belter. Not putting any money down though

Nice bets

Solid match today. No real surprises imo except, perhaps, that Man U's goal came off O'Shea's boot. Bit unlucky for Arsenal, who were able to apply decent pressure in limited amounts, but the Gunners seemed to run out of steam in the last 10 minutes. Giggs' 800 appearance for Man U almost resulted in a late goal for him, but some lazy sod in a red sweater (Berbatov?) was a little slow in getting onside and Giggs' netted ball was ruled no good. No away goal for Wenger's side, so we'll see what happens when the two meet at Emirates next week.

eh? I think you mean lucky, that they didn't concede more. Arsenal were basically useless. That's down to us not letting Arsenal play their game by applying pressure at every opportunity... also you missed Van Persie and Arshavin.


For me, we're huge favourites now. That was our 59th game of the season and we've only not scored a goal in 8 of those games (a few of those were less meaningful games too where we rested Rooney/Ronaldo etc). If we score at the Emirates, Arsenal must score 3.

Should have easily been 4-0 for the Red Devils. Arsenal seemed outclassed in nearly every position on the field. Brilliant effort by Almunia who gives them a glimmer of hope that they have a chance. I don't see the Gunners stopping Man U at Emirates in current form.

You only sing our songs,
You only sing our songs,
You only sing our songs!
Our songs!
You only sing our songs!

Well, I was a bit biased towrds Arsenal, but you're right: The Man U pressure game plan gave Arsenal absolutely no space at all in any portion of the field. Arsenal's passing seemed prett weak, in general, esp in Man U's half of the pitch. Arsenal would set up (or try) and then were reduced to passing across the field in straight lines, rather than being given or finding any way to penetrate. Even when a winger brought the ball down the side, someone was in their face cutting off the cross.

Nice job, Man U.

Hey rinswun, I'll have your new avatar and sig ready and waiting for you later tonight

Just once I hope your overconfidence comes back to bite you in the arse, and of course, as it's not me betting against you it probably will.

i can tell you just how tonight is going to go down:

15 minutes - nasri and song combine to open some space for fabregas who lashes home from the edge of the box to open the scoring.

67 minutes - van persie curls in a sublime free kick after a vidic foul to send the arsenal fans into raptures

89 minutes - nicklas bendtner enters the fray as a substitute for the man of the match van persie as wenger tries to wind the clock down.

90 minutes - with his first touch bendtner gives the ball away to evra who crosses only for sagna to block the ball out for a corner.

90 minutes 30 seconds - with his second touch bendtner heads the ball home from the edge of the 6 yard box, then runs off celebrating before releasing his error and getting headbutted by adebayor, almunia, toure, fabregas, sagna...etc...etc...pat rice, boro primorac...etc, etc...liam brady, steve bould....

full time + 30 minutes - wenger claims bendtner's development is still right on track.

haha


I especially love that he'll be getting headbutted by some random ex-Arsenal players and the coaching staff!

^^^ lol

GO GUNNERS!

2-1/2-0 Utd

Arsenal do have a very nice pitch, I'll give them that.

as much as he is a fantastically good player, i can really do without ronaldo's theatrics.

i feel really sorry for gibbs too, poor kid looks heartbroken. that said, only nasri and sagna look interested tonight - lets at least get a draw on the night!

Easy, easy, eassssaaay!!! On our way to Rome... I think we can be the first team to sucessfully defend the Champions League.. come on.



rinswun old boy, you have a new avatar




And your sig: 'James D certified poster. He owns my soul and I love it'





- wsox8, you'll have the same sig tomorrow when Chelsea get done with Barca, not sure about your avatar yet

ok, nice win. gimme a sec to work out how to sort it out.

Nice signature

Not sooooooooo fast buddy boy.

didn't quite go like this today, now did it






find some sort of pic of messi pwning someone or something. or a very unhappy pic of Abramovich

I think James fancies Chelsea over Barca though. So these wouldn't make sense.