Groves Says Inter To Wing It

Fans favourite Perry Groves was George Graham’s first signing at Arsenal. He won two league titles as part of the late Eighties and early Nineties Gunners side and also played for Colchester United, Southampton and Dagenham & Redbridge.

Since retirement, Perry’s become a well-known face and voice on TV and radio and is helping promote Football Replay (www.footballreplay.net), an initiative to get over-35s back playing the game. Sportsvibe caught up with him to get his thoughts on the Champions League final:

“I think Inter Milan will come out on top because of the way Jose Mourinho sets up his teams tactically. Plus Samuel Eto’o and Diego Milito are deadly up front and Bayern Munich will be missing Franck Ribery. Inter also have the attacking talent of Wesley Sneijder who I think will be vitally important. I can see it being 1-1 going into extra time with Inter snatching it late on.”

Perry Groves’ charity choice is Asthma UK
Asthma UK is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma.
www.asthma.org.uk

Mr Betdaq
This weekend’s inaugural Saturday Champions League final sees Bayern Munich and Inter Milan battling to become the first Italian or German side to claim the Treble. Clearly, both have already had fantastic seasons – each lifted their domestic league and cup this month, but this is the one that really counts.

The game looks difficult to call and, like Perry, the bookies think there’s little to choose between the pair, pricing Inter (8/13) as slight favourites with Bayern on offer at 6/4 on Betdaq. However, the Bavarian outfit are ahead in the all-time European Cup count.

Bayern’s fourth triumph came in their last final appearance in 2001 and they have been runners-up three times too. Inter last reached this stage in 1972 and trail with two titles from four finals. The Milanese side achieved back-to-back wins in 1964 and 1965.

They are in similar form with just two league defeats apiece in 2010, but Inter ended the campaign in slightly better shape winning six of their last seven in Serie A while Bayern won four and drew two of their last half-dozen games en route to being crowned Bundesliga kings.

This one, as finals often are, could be a war of attrition – both Jose Mourinho and van Gaal are capable of ‘parking the bus’ – in the Champions League era, five of 17 finals have been level after 90 minutes.

With the teams very evenly matched the draw at full-time looks a good bet at 9/4 on Betdaq. Perry’s forecasting this and it’s hard to disagree with him. I also like the look of his 1-1 correct score at 11/2 on Betdaq.

While he’s going for a late decider in the Nerazzurri’s favour, I certainly wouldn’t rule out penalties. Extra-time has proved a non-contest in Champions League finals – on each of the five occasions we’ve seen it, spot-kicks have then been needed to settle the showpiece.  

Latest odds on Betdaq:
To lift the trophy:
Inter 8/13
Bayern 6/4

Match odds (90 minutes)
Inter 5/4
Draw 9/4
Bayern 5/2

Perry’s Punt
Inter 1-1 Bayern correct score 11/2