Man U v Bayern Munich (7.45pm ITV)

They were hiring planes to display banners calling for “Moyes Out” at Old Trafford at the weekend – those that paid for that stunt with the private aircraft did their money with Moyes getting a warm reception BEFORE the kick-off and and an even warmer one after their 4-1 defeat of Villa.

If Moyes can get a result in the Champions League EVERYTHING will be forgiven – fickle lot football fans – but the problem for Man U is that Bayern Munich are standing in their way tonight (ITV 7.45pm).

Bayern are bidding to become the first team EVER to win back to back Champions League titles and they come into this in even better form than they were last season. They’ve smashed just about every Bundesliga record in sight. Ominous.

Star Sports, along with all the other bookies don’t give Man U a chance – I can’t remember Man U EVER being a bigger price for a home match in any competition than they are tonight (Anoraks please advise if you know better!).

For all their faults this season. Man U have been good in the Champions League – winning all of their home games and I think the prices are slightly insulting – and that’s coming from not exactly the world’s number one Man U fan.

Historically there’s never been too much between the two sides:

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Apr 2010 Ch.League Man Utd 3-2 B Munich
Mar 2010 Ch.League B Munich 2-1 Man Utd
Mar 2002 Ch.League Man Utd 0-0 B Munich
Nov 2001 Ch.League B Munich 1-1 Man Utd
Apr 2001 Ch.League B Munich 2-1 Man Utd
Apr 2001 Ch.League Man Utd 0-1 B Munich
May 1999 Ch.League B Munich 1-2 Man Utd
Dec 1998 Ch.League Man Utd 1-1 B Munich
Sep 1998 Ch.League B Munich 2-2 Man Utd

The pressure in many ways is off Man U tonight – which may help them but in terms of taking anything out of this season all their eggs are now in the Champions League basket.

What’s not helping Moyes is a series of injury problems. Particularly with his defenders.

The starting 11 is confirmed as:

01 de Gea
04 Jones
28 Büttner
16 Carrick
05 Ferdinand
15 Vidic
31 Fellaini
11 Giggs
10 Rooney
25 Antonio Valencia
19 Welbeck

A Bayern success looks too far built into the spreads. I’m selling them at around 1.1 in the hope that Man U can stay competitive with home advantage.

RECOMMENDED BET (scale 1-10 points)

SELL BAYERN MUNICH / MAN U for 10 points at around 1.1 with Star Spreads

RUNNING RETURN (MARCH): PROFIT 329.50 POINTS

RUNNING RETURN (YEAR): PROFIT 434.00 POINTS

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.