MLS All-Stars - Chelsea Betting Preview: Expect high-scoring entertainment with the European champions coming out on top
Jul 25, 2012 9:35:00 AM
It may be a friendly but many will feel David Beckham, Thierry Henry & Co are playing for the pride of US soccer against Chelsea. Adam Bate thinks they can entertain - but not win
Major League Soccer certainly knows how to pick their opposition for the league’s All-Star game. MLS’s finest will line up against the winners of the 2012 UEFA Champions League, Chelsea, on Thursday.It’s a daunting challenge but it’s fair to say that several of the All-Star line-up have the experience to cope with it.
David Beckham and Thierry Henry have won their fair share of high-profile games against the Blues, while Landon Donovan beat Chelsea in an Everton shirt as recently as February.
The big names have the pedigree to inspire their team-mates and the MLS All-Stars can be backed to cause an upset in this showpiece at 4/1 (5.0) with Bet365.The problem for the North American outfit is that the quality elsewhere in the side is lacking. Kyle Beckerman and Eddie Johnson are among the relative star names in the rest of the squad.
And yet, Beckerman can look laboured against top-class opponents, while striker Johnson has a dismal record of just two goals in 71 appearances across English football’s top two divisions.
Chelsea put four past Seattle last week and followed up with a good warm-up against Paris St Germain.
They will expect to have too much for a side not used to playing together. Chelsea are 8/15 (1.53) with Bet365 to win this one. The draw is available at 14/5 (3.8).
The draw seems a long-shot given that this is a showpiece friendly and therefore unlikely to be a tight and defensive affair. The All-Star team will have had little time to work on defensive co-ordination and their best players are primarily in offensive roles anyway.
The best bet is to tip goals in this one and backing over 2.5 goals at 3/5 (1.6) with Bet365 looks to be the pick here.
In an open and potentially high-scoring game it would be no surprise if Chelsea get the bulk of the chances.
The value choice is to back the European champions to get a lead before the break and keep it after the interval. Back Chelsea/Chelsea at HT/FT at 13/10 (2.3) with Bet365.
 |
BET |
OF THE |
DAY |
| BEST BET |
VALUE BET |
| Over 2.5 goals at 3/5 (1.6) with Bet365 |
Chelsea at HT/FT at 13/10 (2.3) with Bet365 |
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Adam Bate is a professional freelance journalist who specialises in football and betting. He is editor of GhostGoal which can be found here - you can also follow Adam on
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