Previews

United aim to finish off Milan

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 10/03/2010
Football betting

Manchester United face AC Milan on Wednesday evening with a Champions League quarter-final berth up for grabs.

The Red Devils are in pole position to win through following their 3-2 first-leg success in Italy, when Wayne Rooney once again showed his class, bagging a brace of headers in the stunning triumph.

However, although Sir Alex Ferguson's men may have one foot in the next round, their opponents have eliminated them from the competition on four previous occasions.

Statistically, United have defeated Italian opposition in their last five encounters at their Old Trafford home, keeping clean sheets in the three more recent clashes.

Milan have failed to win any of their previous four Champions League fixtures, currently the longest sequence of any teams left in the event, and they have leaked goals in seven successive continental outings.

United's staying power can hardly be placed into question. They have scored seven of their 13 goals in Europe this term in the final 15 minutes of a game, this equating to 54 per cent.

Brazil star Ronaldinho has played a key role for his side recently, scoring three of their last five efforts and setting up one other.

Will Manchester United beat AC Milan on Wednesday and progress to this season's Champions League quarter-finals? - Latest Football Betting

United go into the clash in confident mood after winning their last two games. They beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Wembley on February 28 to lift the Carling Cup and followed it up with a narrow 1-0 success against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening to move to the top of the Premier League table.

Wayne Rooney (knee) is expected to return to the side on Wednesday and Ryan Giggs (broken arm) could make a comeback. Jonny Evans (knee) isn't far from first-team reckoning but fellow defender John O'Shea (thigh) is ruled out. Anderson (knee) and Michael Owen (hamstring) are out for the rest of the season.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid welcome Lyon to Santiago Bernabeu when the Spanish giants must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit after failing in France.

A spectacular Jean Makoun effort handed his side a narrow lead but, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain in potent form, they will have their work cut out as they seek qualification to the next round.

Former Lyon striker Karim Benzema will also be aiming to down his former side following his big-money transfer last summer.

History is on Lyon's side over their Madrid counterparts. They have won three and grabbed two draws in their previous five meetings and have scored in each clash against Los Merengues.

However, Manuel Pellegrini's men, who are the overwhelming sportsbook favourites to win the contest, have notched 15 Champions League goals this term. Ronaldo is leading the way with three of his six goals coming directly from free-kicks.

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