Champions League betting: Chelsea and Beckham to sink Inter and United

Chelsea's Champions League odds have moved from 5.4 to 6.0 since being paired with Jose Mourinho and Inter Milan but don't be afraid to back them - we think they'll show the Special One what he's missing.

The Blues have won five of their six previous second-round matches, with their only failure to qualify coming in one of Mourinho's three attempts, when Barcelona knocked them out.

Inter struggled through the group stage while Chelsea cantered unbeaten and the Nerazzurri have bowed out at this point in each of the last three seasons, against English opposition in both of the last two. The Premier League leaders have never been eliminated by an Italian side.

We also stuck our necks on the line last week by recommending that people back AC Milan, with the potential to trade out and profit further down the line. Despite drawing Manchester United, we're refusing to back down.

Milan are out from 27.0 to 29.0 but the draw has been considered a blow to the chances of last year's runners-up too, with United out from 9.8 to 10.5.

Why do we still fancy the Rossoneri? They've met their fellow Red Devils four times in the knockout stages of the competition and progressed on each occasion.

The counter argument of course is that the seven-time champions are not what they once were but that didn't stop them turning United over when the form book - and a first-leg advantage - favoured Fergie's men in 2006-07.

It also proved no obstacle to them winning at the Bernabeu in the group stage. Milan's initial reaction to the draw might have been disappointment but oddly, it probably favours Milan to have been paired with Manchester United rather than a lesser team.

They often perform better in the big games, as the contrast in their points haul against Real Madrid and Marseille (four each) compared to that against FC Zurich (one) in the group stage demonstrated.

Do you agree with? If so, back Chelsea and AC Milan in the winners' market now or, if you don't enjoy trading, wait for the match markets to materialise shortly and bet on both progressing.

Published: 18 Dec 2009 - Tags: AC Milan, David Beckham, Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho, Manchester United