Champions League:Manchester United vs AC Milan -by auls

Champions League
            2010-03-10 – Manchester United v AC Milan
            Sports Betting Preview by Auls
            Manchester United v AC Milan
            Football: Europe, UEFA Champions League 2009/2010
            Wednesday, 10th March 2010 – Kickoff 7:45pm

            Manchester United

            Manchester United had more than 1 foot into the Quarter Finals of
            this competition 3 weeks ago when they held a 1-3 lead at the San
            Siro with a few minutes to spare. However, Clarence Seedorf reduced
            the deficit to 2-3 and a Cup tie remains.

            United moved to the top of the Premier League courtesy of a 0-1 win
            at Wolves in a disappointing match that was not helped by a poor
            playing surface. Paul Scholes scored his 100th Premier League goal
            in that game as he remains an important figure at Old Trafford.
            United are 12-1-1 at home in the League, scoring 39 goals and
            conceding 8, but only had a 1-1-1 record during the Group stages
            here.

            The Red Devils followed up their win at Milan with a heavy defeat at
            Everton, their only loss in the last 10 games in all competitions.
            They have also won their last 3 matches, conceding only 1 goal.
            United have won their last 5 matches at Old Trafford in all
            competitions, each by at least 2 goals, and have only conceded 1
            goal in those games.

            Wayne Rooney provided a big boost to United as he was passed fit
            after missing out on Saturday. Ryan Giggs remains out and is joined
            by Wes Brown. Michael Carrick serves a suspension. It is expected
            that United will start with their familiar 4-5-1 for this European
            tie.
            AC Milan

            Milan look to overturn a first leg deficit from a home leg for only
            the 2nd time in their history. They are fully focused in progressing
            thanks to the late goal from Seedorf in the first leg and have
            closed the gap on Inter Milan at home which will give them further
            confidence.

            AC Milan are 2nd in Serie A and only 4 points behind their city
            rivals Inter as we enter the final stretch of the season. They have
            a solid 7-4-2 away record where they have scored 18 goals and
            conceded only 10. Further to that, Milan have also impressed away
            from home in the Champions League this season, recording wins at
            Marseille and Real Madrid in the group stages.

            The Rosseneri bounced back from the defeat to United with 3 wins
            before gaining a 0-0 draw at Roma this weekend. They are unbeaten in
            their last 12 games away from the San Siro in all competitions (they
            have lost an ‘away’ game against Inter in that stretch) and have
            kept clean sheets in 4 of their last 5.

            Massimo Oddo misses out for Milan but Alexander Pato looks like he
            may just make the team after missing the match on Saturday. Pato’s
            inclusion is most likely to keep David Beckham on the bench
            tomorrow. Mathieu Flamini had a knock at the weekend but is in the
            squad.
            Head to Head

            Manchester United will look to overturn some recent history over
            Milan from the last decade by knocking the Italians out of this
            competition.

            United won 3-2 the last time they entertained Milan at home in 2007
            although Milan won 0-1 here in 2005.

            United have won 12 away European knockout matches in the first leg,
            and gone on to progress every time.
            Prediction

            Manchester United took their time to get going at the San Siro but
            were then worthy winners, even with a few scares at the back.
            Defensively, they have reunited Ferdinand and Vidic and are likely
            to cause Milan many problems again tomorrow.

            Milan have made this tie interesting with their late goal 3 weeks
            ago, but they are not the same side they were a few years ago and
            this is a mighty ask for the Italian team. They will cause some
            concerns, I am sure of that, but defensively look suspect to the
            pace and movement United will throw at them.

            Although United do not have to win tomorrow night to progress, I
            think they will and we may see a similar result to their match with
            Inter last season. Defensively United are beginning to shape up, and
            I see them coming through with another win and clean sheet at Old
            Trafford.
            The Statistics :
                  MANCHESTER_UTD LAST SIX HOME FORM
                  DATE   RESULTOPPOSITION
                  2009-11-25 L0-1  H v Besiktas 
                  2009-11-03 D3-3  H v CSKA_Moscow 
                  2009-09-30 W2-1  H v Wolfsburg 
                  2009-04-29 W1-0  H v Arsenal 
                  2009-04-07 D2-2  H v Porto 
                  2009-03-11 W2-0  H v Inter_Milan 
                  MILAN_AC LAST SIX AWAY FORM
                  DATE   RESULTOPPOSITION
                  2009-12-08 D1-1  A v Zurich 
                  2009-10-21 W2-3  A v Real_Madrid 
                  2009-09-15 W1-2  A v Marseille 
                  2008-02-20 D0-0  A v Arsenal 
                  2007-11-28 D1-1  A v Benfica 
                  2007-11-06 W0-3  A v Shaktar_Donetsk 

                  HEAD TO HEAD MANCHESTER_UTD v MILAN_AC
                  DATE   HOME SCORE   AWAY
                  2007-04-24   Manchester_Utd   3-2  Milan_AC  
                  2005-02-23   Manchester_Utd   0-1  Milan_AC  

            The Pick :
            Manchester United 2-0 AC Milan

            FIXED ODDS BETTING :
            Manchester United WIN