What Super Cup defeat tells us about how to bet on Chelsea
Published:Jose Mourinho is not used to having victory snatched from his grasp, especially when his team are playing to their ruthless, shutters-down defensive best, driven on by a backs-to-the-wall determination that few teams can match for intensity.
However, Bayern’s sustained bombardment of the Chelsea area in extra time of the Super Cup was sufficiently relentless to produce a last-second equaliser. The Germans’ perfection from the spot then brought them the cup when Romelu Lukaku missed Chelsea’s fifth effort.
While Mourinho fumes at the indignity of it all – UEFA have got it in for him, apparently – what conclusions can we draw from the game to help bet on Chelsea throughout the season?
Bet on Chelsea for clean sheets and unders
Although Petr Cech was at fault for Bayern’s equaliser, the Chelsea defensive unit of Cech, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Ashley Cole was outstanding against the best team in Europe.
After Ramires was sent off at the end of regular time and Bayern threw themselves forward, they withstood immense pressure efficiently until the last kick of the game undid them. Having John Terry as a bench player is also a formidable defensive weapon.
Bet on Torres to score in Europe, but not in the league
Fernando Torres loves Europe, but doesn’t get the Premier League any more. His opening goal against Bayern makes it 10 in seven for him for Chelsea in Europe, yet he’s only managed one goal in his last 19 domestic games.
He didn’t make the starting line up at Old Trafford, so would be wise to dodge at 28/1 for top goalscorer in the Premier League. At the moment, it’s not even clear what Mourinho’s favoured attacking option is.
Bet on Bayern to score against Chelsea if they meet again
Pep Guardiola still owns Mourinho – they have now played each other 16 times as managers and Mourinho has won only three of them(the first leg of the Champions League semi-final in 2010, the final of the Copa Del Rey in 2011 and their last La Liga meeting in 2012.) Guardiola has won seven.
Even more significantly, Mourinho, the great defensive tactician, has prevented Guardiola’s teams from scoring in only two of those matches.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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