Manchester United v Besiktas Betting – Champions League Wednesday

Old Trafford
Wednesday, 25 November
Kick-off: 7.45 pm

With Manchester United having qualified from their Group, Alex Ferguson looks likely to field some youngsters against Besiktas. United warmed up for their European match with an easy 3-0 win over Everton in the Premier League on the weekend, while Besiktas won their domestic game by the same score line. The story in the Champions League is completely different for the two teams though, with United topping the group and Besiktas bottom, hoping for a win that would play them into contention of pinching the Europa League spot from third placed CSKA Moscow.

Alex Ferguson is still without Rio Ferdinand available at the back, and Jonny Evans and John O’Shea will also be missing from the line up because of injury. Even with something of weakened side, Ferguson will still be expecting nothing less than a win, something that will likely guarantee them top spot. Manchester United have in some respects been a shadow of their former self, yet still manage to roll out wins that keep them in touch with Europe and the top of the Premier League. It does beg the question as to whether or not a reputation alone can win games. It has been a long time since Manchester United have looked so mediocre, yet they still have the enigma that make teams fearful of them before they kick off.

One familiar name may make his way back into the United line-up, and that is their record signing, Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov. The £30 million striker has been out for a few games because of a knee injury, but is ready to return to action. United need some spark up front, so that they do not have to rely quite so much on Wayne Rooney. While he only returned to training earlier this week, Ferguson may be tempted to give him a run out, along with youngsters such as Obertan, Welbeck and Gibson. The top two positions are not cut and dry, although United are firmly in the driving seat, being three points clear of German side Wolfsburg, who they meet on Match Day 6. It may be a risky tactic sending in the youngsters, but Ferguson will be trusting of them.

Besiktas do not pose the greatest of threats to United, but United will remember their last game at Old Trafford, where CSKA Moscow raced out to a 3-1 lead because of the holes that were in United’s defence. United managed to rescue a draw from that game, and that will have helped them stay on course for the top spot. It has not been such an overwhelmingly easy ride for the top teams in the Champions League this year, highlighted by Barcelona’s crucial win against Inter which could still see either of those giants dumped out. Liverpool have failed to qualify, and Bayern Munich are also at risk of missing out.

But again, Manchester United are usually fortified when it comes to getting the job done. They may not be all gung-ho as they have been in the past, but they should still be more than efficient to get the job done, although the game will be at risk of falling away into mediocrity. Besiktas are without a win, and have managed to find the back of the net just once so far in their four Champions League matches.

Manchester United to win: 2/5 at BlueSquare
Draw: 7/2 at SportingBet
Besiktas to win: 10/1 at Coral

Betting Tips:
Wolfsburg 1-0 Correct Score – 10/1 at ExtraBet
Manchester United -1 Asian Handicap – 5/8 at Bet365