As a Chelsea fan of some 25 years it would be remiss of me not to make comment on the biggest game in our 103 year history.

Quite simply I beleive that 9/4 on Chelsea to win is a very very good value bet. I have had my maximum football bet on this tonight, and ok my heart may well be ruling my head, but my non betting friends who are equally as passionate about the beautiful game as I all agree that 9/4 is too big a price for what essentially is a very level 3 horse race. Backing the outsider of 3 in these situations is often a good strategy, because if you think the game is very tight and both teams are on a level playing field, then surely you secure value by backing the biggest priced outcome.

There have been rumours and counter rumours going about this game for week.

Let's start with Chelsea.

Well, literally on the radio as I was coming into work this morning, the latest rumour going about was that Ballack will not start. Apparently Grant had a long chat with Michael during training and afterwards the german sat down with his head in his hands, if that's the case will Grant be playing a 4-4-2 ? or will he be playing Essien in midfield and Paulo or Belletti at right back ( after all Belletti has won a champs league, and scored the winning goal !! )

Either way it was a surprise to me, and a dissapointment, as I think Ballack has played very well in the last 2 months and could well have played a man of the match role tonight. Either way, we shall see.

Then we have Ashley Cole. In training yesterday Makelele apparently made a challenge on Ash which would have produced a red card in a game situation. Ash is a bit of a doubt for tonight which would be a great shame, as I beleive he has the measure of Ronaldo, and has kept him in his pocket the last twice they've met. It will be a big blow if he isn't playong tonight, but then Wayne Bridge is a decent enough deputy, and I won't be overly concerned.

Then we have the overhanging cloud that is called the close season and "movements" that abound. Lampard, Drogba and Carvalho are the 3 players playing tonight who have come out in the press this past week saying they may well be off in the summer. We all know about Frank and DD, but Carvalho ??? Take those 3 away, and you pretty much take away the spine of the team. Whether this is mind games for tonight or not I don't know, but if there is a sniff of truth then it couldn't be overly great for team morale.

After all the players, you have the manager and the owner. By all accounts, win, lose or draw, this is Grant's final game as a Chelsea manager. He is to be offered an "upstairs" role as a director of football after this and we are supposed to be getting Rijkard or Mancini in. Whether this happens or not I don't know. Personally I think it could well be Hiddink, as he has the Russian connection, and is probably a better manager than the other 2. Then you have Roman. Rumours abound again about the underhand world of Moscow and what he has supposedly done. Dependant on where you spend your money for your morning paper you will think that Roman has hired every hotel in Moscow and is only letting them out to Chelsea fans, he has over 1000 seats in the stadium to be filled with friends and family of the officials. He has "bought" the ref for the game tonight and he will give Chelsea a penalty at some point, and after the game he will say publicly that Chelsea is for sale and he is no longer interested in the club or the game.

Now, pick out of that what you will, but they are the rumours going about in Fleet Street.

I think the game itself will be a usual euro cup final tight affair, and the 0-0 at half time is a bet to be struck. I will be annoyed if Ballack doesn't play as I have a 10/1 voucher for him to be MoM and a 14/1 voucher to be first goal scorer. United though shouldn't be under estimated. They have a terrific team with some world class players. The latest rumour from their camp is that Vidic will not play due to a bad foot, but I wouldn't read too much into that. Scholes will remember 99, and will be all out to win tonight. Ronaldo is their key player of course and it will be fascinating to see of he will perform on the big stage.

So ,uch has been written about his lack of a performance on the biggest of stages, and if you look back he has never really put in his wonderful efforts of the premier league when he has faced world class opposition. That is where Ashley Cole is an important player tonight, as he could shackle Ronaldo and snuff out his spark.

It will be a great game. I have no doubt it will be talked about for years, and I hope it will be a classic. I think the value play is Chelsea to win as I truly beleive there is little in the teams. I have this feeling though that Chelsea will have all the rub of the green, decisions will go their way, and one of our guys, possibly Cole will have that moment of brilliance that will produce the winning goal.

Good luck Chelsea.

Pick : Chelsea in 90 minutes
Odds : 3.25
Stake : 9 / 10
Bookmaker : BlueSQ
Match Result : 1-1
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