Free Bet FinderFree Bet FinderBetting questions and answers since 2004

AC Milan vs Barcelona Betting 20/02/13

Football20/02/2013
  • February 20, 2013
  • Jack Teague

AC Milan vs Barcelona Betting Preview

Two of world's footballing giants, AC Milan and Barcelona, battle it out on Wednesday night in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie. Both sides will be desperate for a win to give them the advantage heading into the second leg, especially Milan, who will hope to keep a clean sheet in order to give them a better chance at the Nou Camp in two weeks' time. Whilst Barcelona cruised through the group stage with four wins, AC Milan scrapped past Group C with 8 points and not a single home win.

AC Milan's Recent Results:

AC Milan 2-1 Parma ( Paletta (og), Balotelli ) Cagliari 1-1 AC Milan ( Balotelli (pen) ) AC Milan 2-1 Udinese ( Balotelli (x2) ) Atlanta 0-1 AC Milan ( El Shaarawy )

AC Milan have struggled in the Champions League since winning it for a seventh time in 2007. Last season they made it to the quarter-finals before they were beaten by their opponents on Wednesday night, 3-1 on aggregate.

The Italian club have been boosted by the signing of Mario Balotelli, who has scored in every game since his move from Manchester City, including a brace on debut to beat Udinese. He has already scored more goals in three appearances for Milan than he did in 20 matches for Man City this season.

However, due to his appearances for Man City in the competition, he is cup-tied, leaving the attack resting on the shoulders of young striker El Shaarawy. The 20 year old has scored 18 goals in all competitions, including 2 in the group stage against Zenit and Anderlecht. El Shaarawy to score anytime is best priced at 11/4 with Blue Square and Coral.

Barcelona's Recent Results:

Granada 1-2 Barcelona ( Messi (x2) ) Barcelona 6-1 Getafe ( Sanchez, Messi, Villa, Tello, Iniesta, Pique ) Valencia 1-1 Barcelona ( Messi (pen) ) Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona ( Fabregas )

Barcelona have been dominant in Europe and Spain once again this season, leading La Liga by 12 points and easily making it through the group stage of the Champions League with 13 points. It's not been all plain sailing of late, though - after winning 22 of their opening 25 matches this season, they have failed to win 4 of their last 8 matches.

Although Lionel Messi grabbed all the headlines with his record breaking year in 2012, it is the players in midfield that have made the team. Andres Iniesta has made 18 assists in 35 games this season, whilst Cesc Fabregas has 14 from 34 and Xavi 10 from 40. Arguably the best midfield in the world, Barcelona will look to dominate the middle of the park on Wednesday and play in Messi to put Milan to the sword. Iniesta is 11/1 to set up the first goal, Fabregas 7/1 and Xavi 12/1, all with Boylesports.

Last time the sides met Barcelona came out winners 3-1 at the Nou Camp after drawing 0-0 in the first leg. Milan have failed to beat Barcelona in their last six matches, interestingly doing better away than at home, having drawn just one match at the San Siro.

From those six games, three have seen either one team score or neither team score, with an average of just 2.3 goals per match. Betfred have just one or neither team to score in the game at 5/4.

In the Champions League this season, Barcelona have scored the last goal of the match on five occasions. Of those five Messi has three and he is best priced at 9/4 with Bet365 , Blue Square , Boylesports , Coral , Ladbroke s and Stan James to do so once again.

Without star striker Balotelli, Milan will struggle against an impressive and full strength Barcelona squad. Barcelona will expect to come up against a well formed defensive unit but Milan won't be able to withstand constant pressure for 90 minutes, especially with the ability of Barcelona's attack to produce magic moments from nothing. Expect a tightly fought match but Barcelona should have enough to take a couple away goals into the second leg.

Prediction: AC Milan 0-2 Barcelona - Best priced at 8/1 with Bet Victor

  • Jack Teague Jack is a sports writer covering football, cricket and NFL, and provides readers of Free Bet Finder with regular winning tips. Follow me