The Sports Bookie Blog

Online UEFA Cup betting market: Zenit St.Petersburg v Bayern Munich, Rangers & Fiorentina

April 23rd, 2008

Though Bayern Munich head top online handicap sportsbook PinnacleSports.com’s online UEFA Cup betting market at the semi-final stage, the Bavarians twice came within minutes of elimination in the previous round. La Liga’s Getafe grabbed a 1-1 draw in a quarter-final first leg at the Allianz Arena, then pushed the Bundesliga leaders all the way in the reverse leg in Spain.

The Spaniard’s stunned Bayern Munich by taking a 44th minute lead despite having only ten men, and it was only in the 89th minute that Frank Ribery saved their blushes. Getafe then scored two quick-fire goals in extra-time, which looked to have sent them through to the last four. However, one thing that all football bettors know is to never write off a German side, and true enough Luca Toni produced a brace with five minutes remaining to break Spanish hearts, and send Bayern Munich through on away goals. Having won the German Cup on Saturday, the Germans are on course for an histroric treble, which would include the Bundesliga title and success in this competition.

Zenit Will Command Respect from Bayern Munich

Coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld, will be obviously be delighted by the show of spirit that got them through their tricky quarter-final, but at the same time he will be worried that they got themselves into that situation in the first place, against a side that club President, Franz Beckenbauer, described as ‘nobodies’. Bayern will probably be more respectful in the face of the challenge of playing Russian Champions, Zenit St.Petersburg, in the semi-finals.

Munich will definitely aim to take a healthy lead East from the first leg at the Allianz Arena on April 24th, as the Russians have shown real strength at home. Zenit bounced back from a 3-1 deficit against Marseille in the last 16, winning the reverse leg 2-0 in Russia. They then moved up a gear in the quarter-finals hammering Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 in the first leg in Germany to effectively kill the tie, and end a hoodoo against German clubs.

PinnacleSports.com nevertheless price Zenit St.Petersburg underdogs for the trip to the Allianz Arena 1.901 (+1 & +1.5)* with Bayern Munich 2.030 (-1 & -1.5)* – a market priced to just 102%.

Rangers & Fiorentina Repeat Historic European Final

Glasgow Rangers of the Scottish Premier League, face Serie A side Fiorentina, in the other semi-final. The Scots are victims of their own success, as the first leg at Ibrox will be their 57th game of a season that has already brought success in the Scottish League Cup, an upcoming Scottish FA Cup final appearance, and the strong likelihood of the SPL title. Defeat in the Old Firm Derby last week was however a blow, and they again face Celtic three days after this game, providing further distraction. Fatigue shouldn’t however, be an issue as the Gers eye their first European final in 38 years.

There will be inevitable references to when the sides met 47 years ago in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final which the Italians won, however, recent form is far more relevant. Rangers are yet to concede at home in the competition, while La Viola showed their mettle on the road, winning 2-0 at European stalwarts, PSV Eindhoven in the last eight.

Adrian Mutu scored both goals on that occasion, and the Romanian is showing a new found maturity, leaving behind the controversy of his departure from Chelsea after drug issues. Fiorentina are on course to displace AC Milan as the fourth placed qualifiers for next season’s Champions League showing their rising pedigree.

PinnacleSports.com cannot split the sides on their Asian Handicap for the first leg in Glasgow pricing Rangers 1.980 (0/scratch)* with Fiorentina 1.943 (0/scratch)* – odds 60% better than traditional bookmakers.

 

*All odds subject to change so check out the latest UEFA Cup odds live across top online sportsbooks at BookieLabRat.com

Entry Filed under: European Football,Sports Betting