“We are up against a very experienced, powerful Marseille team who will want to play well. “We’ve watched them twice playing away from home.

“Against [AS] Monaco [FC] and [Stade Rennais FC], and they showed the qualities we expect to see again tomorrow. Marseille will try and hit us on the break.

“But it’s my first time up against Didier, so I’ve not got enough knowledge of him to say how he will approach the game.”

Interestingly, records tell that Ferguson doesn’t need to worry much. Regardless of the threat that Marseille may pose, Manchester United have the upper hand. Here are interesting facts that can only boost the Red Devils’ confidence:

In the last few years, Manchester United have always progressed after drawing goalless in the first leg of a tie. That was the case in the semi-finals of the 2007/08 Champions League season.

Fergie’s men had drawn 0-0 away to Barcelona but a solitary strike from Paul Scholes at Old Trafford had the hosts smiling in the end. A year later, Manchester United also had to settle things on home soil after drawing goalless away to Inter in the Last 16 of the 2009 UEFA Champions League. So history is on Fergie’s side.

However, way back into memories, there is something which may incite Manchester United to fear Marseille. It’s the ghost of the 1998 Champions League quarter-finals horror when Monaco earned a shocking 1-1 draw at Old Trafford to punish the Red Devils for not getting anything better than a 0-0 score line in the first leg of that tie. The question, though, is: can Marseille emulate Monaco?

Second legs finish up this week in the Round of 16 with Manchester United favored over Olympique Marseille and Bayern Munich squaring off against Inter Milan. Like last week, remember that bets are graded on regulation time only.

MANCHESTER UNITED (-1, -115) vs. OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE (2.5 goals under -130)

Background: Man U beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Cup on Saturday. Olympique Marseille beat Rennes 2-0 away on Friday. The first leg was a scoreless draw in Marseille.

Marseille is the bet here but only if you can take a full goal. What’s the best way to get a full goal—or more? Wait.

Wait as long as you can before getting down, as more often than not the public lumps on United as kickoff approaches. If you think I’m crazy, and you want to bet United, at least do yourInter Milan vs Bayern Munich Liveself the service of getting on the favorite early.

OK, so that’s the strategy out of the way, but why Marseille? Well, the team’s a little healthier than they were in the first leg. Andre-Pierre Gignac and Mathieu ValbueBayern Munich vs Inter Milanna are back, but Brandao has been suspended over rape allegations. Marseille is also in form with only one loss in all competitions over the last 10 games. Last, in Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan Live Streama spot where the players could have laid down Friday at second-place Rennes, Marseille did the business on the road.

Despite the win over Arsenal, United’s form has been very uneven lately, including lossBayern Munich vs Inter Milan Livees at Chelsea and Liverpool. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson imposed a media blackout after the Liverpool game and a charge of improper conduct by the FA for comments after the Chelsea loss. Man U supporters will take up the Man Utd vs Marseille Liveslack as the club feels like it’s been jobbed two years running at Chelsea, by the same ref no less.

United thought they lost Nani for at least a month to a Jamie Carragher horror tackle in the Liverpool game. Nani did train Monday as did Michael Carrick (calf). RiMarseille vs Manchester United Liveo Ferdinand remains out until the end of March. Park Ji-Sung and Michael Owen trained separately and will not feature here.

Are United rightfully favored? Sure, but Marseille already canceled them out once and shouldn’t loseManchester United vs Marseille Live Stream

The juice on the under is a shade too much. If anybody does score early, it’s balls-to-the-wall for the opposition, and the game could fly over.

Pick: Manchester United 0, Olympique Marseille 0. Again.

BAYERN MUNICH (-0.5, -120) vs. INTER MILAN (2.5 goals flat)

Background: Bayern cooked Hamburger 6-0 on Saturday, while Inter drew 1-1 away to Brescia on Friday. Bayern won the first leg 1-0 in Milan.

We were wrong on the over in the first leg and back for more of the same here. Did you see that matManchester United vs Marseille Livech? It should have been 3-3 at half as each team wasted chance after chance. Frustrating stuff, but here’s a chance to get our money back.

I also don’t mind Inter plus the half-goal, but it’s a much weaker play than the total only because wManchester United vs Marseillee think the game is going over. A draw does nothing for Inter here under any circumstances. So it’s tough to put ourselves in a spot where it’s 2-2, the over’sManchester United vs Marseille en direct in the bag, Inter sends everyone but the bus driver forward and Bayern seals a win on a counterattack.

Bayern’s league form is disappointing and manager Luis van Gaal will be leaving at season’s end, earlier than scheduled. It’s a distractiMarseille vs Manchester United en directon, but there are no new injuries.

Lucio is a doubt in the heart of Inter’s defense with what’s officially being called a “buttock strain.”

Pick: Bayern 1, Inter 2. It’s going over.
by more than a goal. Expect another tight game with little space, and watch Man U’s frustration build. Do hang on and see if you can take +1.5 at -145 or better.