Anorak: Bayern Munich to finish job at 4-5, with 7-1 RArjen obben the man to supply the goals

IT’S a unique situation in that the Champions League final venue hands a huge advantage to one team before a ball is even kicked. However, you have to salute Bayern for their almost blinkered focus in making sure they didn’t have the night off at the Allianz arena, the Bavarians have looked the part throughout the tournament.

The bashing they gave Manchester City in the ‘Tevezgate’ game springs to mind and the steely resolve they showed at the Bernabeu after conceding two early goals, shows that they are made of stern stuff.

You could also argue that Chelsea’s name is on the cup as they have twice come from seemingly impossible positions and deficits to grind their way through. They did it first against Napoli, and the ten men who qualified after Barcelona went two-up shows that they don’t scare easily and are the masters of riding their luck.

But, as every punter knows, your luck eventually runs out, and without the suspended Terry and, more importantly for me, Ramires – Chelsea’s best player by a country mile in the Nou Camp – Bayern can overrun them in midfield. The attacking axis of Robben, Ribery and Mario Gomez is expected to prove too much for Chelsea at the final hurdle.

The Champions League recommendations all with Ladbrokes are Bayern at 4-5 to win in 90 minutes, Robben first goalscorer at 7-1 (each way, at a third the odds), over 12 corners at 11-5 and Bayern to win 3-1 at 12-1.

West Ham v Blackpool looks difficult to call in the final quest for the Premier League. Vaz Te heads the betting in the goalscoring, which will stun Hibs fans (barn door, cow’s backsides and banjos spring to mind), but I like another ex-Hibs player in Dobbie (who takes the penalties) at 8-1 for the Seasiders.

The third season of this column saw us tip some cracking bets last August at huge prices. We flagged up Bolton to be relegated as our best bet at 11-2, the only continental team tipped were Dortmund (5-1), who won the Bundesliga at a canter. Runaway League 1 champions Charlton were advised each-way at 12-1, as were Southend at 18-1 on the Handicap in Div 2, and last but not least Robin Van Persie won the golden boot at 10-1.

• For betting information and advice, contact [email protected]