Barcelona star suggests pressure is on Manchester United in final
Published:Manchester United secured their spot in the Champions League final last night with a routine win over a poor Schalke side at Old Trafford.
It leaves Sir Alex Ferguson’s side 13/8 to lift the Champions League trophy come May 28th but Xavi Hernandez suggestions that Manchester United are the favourites are wide of the mark according to the Champions League odds.
“Manchester are the favourites,” said Xavi. “They’re a great team that also likes to play football, and perhaps that’s good for us.”
Barcelona are the huge 4/9 favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley and Pep Guardiola’s side are 10/11 to win the match inside the 90 minutes or 8/1 to win in extra time and 12/1 to win on penalties.
Manchester United are 12/5 to win the match inside the 90 minutes and 12/1 to win the game in extra time or 12/1 to win on penalties.
Rated as the best team of this generation, Barcelona are attracting all the money in the Champions League betting and Manchester United will enter the game as the underdogs.
The mind games from Xavi may not be on the same level as Sir Alex Ferguson’s efforts, but the midfield maestro knows his side will face a stiff test in the final and complacency will not be tolerated amongst the Barcelona ranks.
Xavi gives no reason for suggesting Manchester United should be the favourites but the fact the game is being played at Wembley Stadium may help the English club.
Just two years after Barcelona defeated Manchester United 2-0 in the 2009 Champions League final, the two teams will meet at Wembley for the rematch.
Revenge will be high on the agenda for Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson’s team talk should be his easiest of the season but there is no chance that Manchester United will start the game as favourites.
A £30 stake on Manchester United lifting the Champions League trophy would return £78.75. Sign up here to take advantage of a free Champions League bet worth up to £30.
