Lee Dixon: United not given enough credit on home turf

 

The Betfair market makes Manchester United outsiders in their Tuesday night tussle with Real Madrid and Lee Dixon has found himself backing the Reds on price grounds  alone...

 

 

Manchester United aren't often underdogs for a European tie at Old Trafford but the Betfair market has made its mind up and Real Madrid are the jollies ahead of  Tuesday night's huge Champions League fixture.

 

It's a sign of punters' faith in Madrid's recent return to form that the visitors are clear favourites both to win the game and to qualify from the tie.

 

And it's true to say that Jose Mourinho's men seem to have finally awoken from an almost season-long slumber in the last few weeks. Madrid have won four on the trot  since drawing with United at the Bernabeu, including successive defeats of Barcelona in the last week. That sudden turnaround in form, coupled with first leg results,  has made Madrid second favourites to win the Champions League at 5.6 with only Bayern Munich shorter in the betting.

 

But, while that form is promising, it does United a massive disservice. Do not forget that the Reds are playing in front of a home crowd, have a precious away goal in  the bag and are in fantastic form themselves. I was surprised to see United's qualification odds at bigger than even money and I think they are a must-back on value  alone.

 

There's no doubt about it, this fixture is extremely hard to call and you can genuinely make a case for any one of the three eventualities happening - home win, away  win or draw. United have been in rampant form in both Premier and Champions League and it's not every day you see Sir Alex's men as long as 3.2 to win a game. Then again, lining up against them is old boy Cristiano Ronaldo, a modern day footballing genius. With him on the pitch anything is possible and the loss of Phil Jones, who shackled the Portuguese genius with aplomb at the Bernabeu, is fairly major for the home side.

 

Opta tell us that two Champions League encounters between these sides at Old Trafford have produced 12 goals and, given the firepower on the pitch and both teams'  commitment to attack, we can expect both teams to score, but it's certainly short enough at 1.52. At a bigger price - 2.34 - I'd prefer to back Ronaldo to register on his return to his former ground.

 

Ultimately this is a match to savour. Anything could happen on the pitch and it seems there'll be drama from first kick to last. The home fans have been criticised in  the past but they'll be up for this, believe me. There'll be some atmosphere beneath the Old Trafford floodlights and I'm really excited to be there to witness it.

 

It's a game worthy of the final itself. These are two genuine footballing heavyweights going toe-to-toe with each capable of administering a devastating blow. Stand  back and enjoy the fight.

 

Recommended Bets

Back United to qualify @ 2.34

Back Ronaldo to score @ 2.34

 

Bet HERE

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