Spanish Duo set the pace in Champions League Odds after Quarter Final First Legs

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What amazing outcomes in the first legs of the 2011 Champions League Quarter Finals this week with three of the four ties effectively already decided? The results ahead of next week’s second legs were:

Inter Milan 2-5 Schalke04
Real Madrid 4-0 Spurs
Barcelona 5-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Chelsea 0-1 Man Utd

Only the all Premier League tie between Chelsea and Man Utd remains in the balance but it has to be said that United hold all the keys, with the next leg being at Old Trafford and having a 1-0 advantage after putting up an extremely professional performance at Stamford Bridge. That said Chelsea were the last team to beat United at Old Trafford and know that if they up their performance levels from what they showed in the first leg, then, if nothing else they have a chance.

The Quarter Final results have all but set up a mouth watering

FA Cup Odds Make Manchester Clubs Favourites Ahead Of Quarter Finals

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The FA Cup Quarter Finals take place this weekend and there look to be some interesting ties, the highlight of which is no doubt the meeting of the current top two sides in the Premiership, Manchester United and Arsenal. That is not the only game to look forward to in Manchester, the only remaining Championship side left in the competition, Reading, take on Man City on Sunday.

The early kick off on Saturday sees Carling Cup winners Birmingham return to cup action against Bolton. Birmingham slipped into the bottom three last week but they have largely been solid at home, losing just over a quarter of their games at St Andrews. Bolton have struggled away from home in the league but seem to manage ok in the FA Cup, their last two wins in the competition have come on the road. This should be a very tight game and a draw might be the best call at around 23/10.

The evening game on Saturday is the game that is most likely to involve the winners of the competition. FA Cup favourites Man Utd, who are 12/5 to go all the way this year, play host to Arsenal who are rated at 7/2 with the bookies to win the FA Cup. If they can beat Man Utd they would surely become the favourites but that is a tough task at Old Trafford, where Man Utd have dropped just two points in the league all season. Despite two recent losses United are fancied to win the match at just over even money.

The first of the Sunday matches is Stoke versus West Ham and this looks possibly the most open of all the Quarter Finals. Stoke are generally very good at home but they have struggled for results recently, winning just once in six league matches. West Ham meanwhile are starting to pick up wins and with both sides looking to have good claims the draw is probably the best option at 12/5. The other Sunday game will see Man City take on Reading. City go into this game as strong favourites at just 2/5, Reading have proved themselves a tough team to beat in the competition but their great run is likely to come to an end.

For up to the second odds and tips on value bets, check out the football pages on Valuechecker.co.uk.