Jose Mourinho was named manager at Inter Milan on Monday, replacing Roberto Mancini who was fired last week.

Soccer Betting at SBG Global

Jose Mourinho has been without a job since leaving Chelsea last September. Inter Milan released a statement about the hiring saying, “Thanking Roberto Mancini and his staff for the successes obtained in four seasons in charge of the team,” Inter said, “All of FC Internazionale welcomes Jose Mourinho and his coaches and wishes them the best of luck in their new jobs.”

“He can win the Soccer Betting Champions League with this team and I would like to be a part of it,” said winger Luis Figo. Mancini was fired last week even though Inter won their third straight league title.

Read more on Inter Milan Soccer News: Inter Milan Hires Jose Mourinho

A berth in the Soccer Betting Champions League final and a second place finish in the Premier League was not enough for Chelsea manager Avram Grant, as he was fired on Saturday.

Soccer Betting at SBG Global

The loss to Manchester United in the Champions League final seemed to seal his fate. “Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September,” the club said, “We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made.” Grant took over for Jose Mourinho in September and did a fine job but coming away without a title was not acceptable for Chelsea. Owner Roman Abramovich has said that he wants a more exciting style of play and a trophy. Grant was facing an uphill battle replacing the popular Mourinho, especially after Mourinho led the Blues to back to back league titles.

It is possible that Grant may have been fired even if Chelsea had won the Champions League final. The heart-breaking loss on penalty kicks to United definitely made it easier for the club to let him go.

Read more on Soccer News: Chelsea Fires Manager Avram Grant

Manchester United defeated Chelsea in a penalty shootout 6-5 in the Soccer Betting Champions League final after the teams played to a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time. Chelsea had a number of excellent chances to win but it was Manchester United that ultimately took home the trophy. United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar saved the 14th penalty of the shootout to give United the win. He stopped Nicolas Anelka and Manchester United won their third European Cup title.

The final between United and Chelsea was a hard fought game that included a late red card going to Didier Drogba. He was sent off in extra time but very little time remained. The expulsion really hurt Chelsea in the shootout since Drogba is one of their top scorers. The first goal of the game was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo who headed in a shot in the 26th minute. It was the 42nd goal of the season for the best player in the world as he took a Wes Brown cross and headed it into the corner. Manchester United easily could have led 2-0 but goalkeeper Petr Cech was brilliant in stopping Tevez and Carrick.

Soccer Betting at SBG Global

Read more on Manchester United Wins Champions League in Shootout

For the first time in Soccer Betting history, the Champions League final will be an all-English affair as Manchester United and Chelsea meet on Wednesday in Moscow, Russia. The two Premier League squads know each other very well and Wednesday’s match promises to be a classic.

Manchester United is a -145 favorite with a total of 2 under at SBG Global. The three-way line has United +140, Chelsea +200 and the Draw +200.

There are big names on both sides as Manchester United has the world’s best player in Cristiano Ronaldo while Chelsea has big stars like Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack. It could come down to the goalkeepers. Manchester United has Edwin van Der Sar who has the experience edge while Chelsea has Petr Cech.

Read more on Champions League Final Betting Preview: Chelsea vs. Manchester United

Manchester United and Chelsea are preparing for the Soccer Betting Champions League Final in Moscow next Wednesday with Chelsea hoping to win and Manchester United expecting to win.

Chelsea Midfielder Claude Makelele believes that Chelsea would earn a lot of respect by winning the Champions League. “People look at winners and say: ‘This is a big team.’ I remember all the teams who came to play Real Madrid in the Champions League were scared. They knew that they would lose but they might lose by four or maybe six goals. It would be good to see Chelsea have this power. It is difficult winning it but it would be so good for the players as well as the club.”

Soccer Betting at SBG Global: Champions League Final Manchester United vs Chelsea

Nicolas Anelka was part of the Madrid team that won eight years ago and he also believes Chelsea can win. Anelka was signed by Chelsea in January but may start on the bench in the Champions League final with Didier Drogba as the main striker. “It is not frustrating, I am new in the club,” said Anelka. “The manager wants to play 4-5-1 and I have to stay on the bench. I don’t know if I will start. You need to ask the manager. Even if I am on the bench, I will have a chance to play and I will do my best.

Read more on Soccer Betting Preview: United and Chelsea Prepare for Champions League Final

Chelsea won 2-0 at Newcastle on Monday to keep their Soccer Betting Premier League title hopes alive. With the win they drew even with Manchester United in the standings although Man U holds the goal difference advantage. Chelsea will now need to win their final game at home against Bolton and hope that United either loses or ties at Wigan.

Soccer Betting at SBG Global

Chelsea didn’t score the first goal of the game against Newcastle until the 61st minute as a foul was called on Newcastle’s Abdoulaye Faye. Didier Drogba was able to put the ball into position for Michael Ballack who put a header past Steve Harper. The Blues scored their second goal as Florent Malouda took a pass from Frank Lampard and scored in the 81st minute.

Read more on Soccer Betting Preview: Chelsea Keeps Title Hopes Alive

Chelsea defeated Liverpool 3-2 in extra time on Wednesday in a thrilling game that sends the Blues into the Champions League Final against Manchester United. Chelsea advanced 4-3 on aggregate goals. The game was an emotional one for the Blues after they squandered a 1-0 lead in the second half but Frank Lampard scored the go-ahead goal in extra time. It was the first match for Lampard since his mother died last Thursday.

Frank Lampard scored the penalty spot in the 98th minute. Didier Drogba added his second goal of the match in the 105th minute. “What a character Lamps is to come in on Sunday and train and try and block out what has been a terrible week for him and his family and everyone close to Frank,” Chelsea captain John Terry said. “I’m sure Frank will dedicate the goal to his mum tonight.”

Soccer Betting at SBG Global

Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel scored for Liverpool. “I thought we were very close. We played well in the second half, but the third goal killed it,” Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. “We had control of the game. We had two chances in extra time and we were in control and we were preventing them from creating.” Drogba scored the game’s first goal in the 33rd minute after nearly scoring a minute earlier. Torres scored the tying goal in the 64th minute for Liverpool.

Read more on Manchester United and Chelsea Advance to Champions League Final

On Tuesday Soccer Betting Premier League, Manchester United hosts Barcelona and a win will put them into the Champions League final. Chelsea is in even better position as they host Liverpool on Wednesday, as either a win or a draw will have them advancing. Manchester United is a half goal favorite with a total of 2.5 under at SBG Global against Barcelona. The three-way line has United at -105, Barcelona at +300 at the draw at +220.

Soccer Betting at SBG Global

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson rolled the dice and took a huge gamble on Saturday by resting stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez for Tuesday’s match. He had better hope that his team wins its next two Premier League games and that decision doesn’t come back to haunt him. He also better hope his team wins on Tuesday at home against Barcelona. United is facing injuries to striker Wayne Rooney (hip) and defender Nemanja Vidic (face). “We’ve got to pick ourselves up,” said winger Ryan Giggs, “There’s no bigger game than Barcelona. We want to win the league and we want to reach the Champions League final, and it’s still in our hands.” United is expected to take out Barcelona and advance to the final. Ronaldo was just recently named player of the year for the second straight season and he will be playing with a vengeance on Tuesday after missing a penalty kick in the first leg against Barcelona last week. “I look forward to Tuesday against Barcelona; it is the biggest game of the season in my opinion. If you win, you are in the final,” Ronaldo said, “It is a good motivation for me, for my colleagues, for my friends, everyone. I hope to win and the two league games are very important as well.”

Read more on Champions League Second Leg Soccer Betting Preview

Chelsea pulled even in points with Manchester United atop the Premier League standings after Saturday’s 2-1 win. A late penalty against Michael Carrick gave Chelsea a chance for the lead and Michael Ballack didn’t disappoint, scoring the game winner. United manager Alex Ferguson was furious over the penalty call that cost his team a probable tie and a chance to wrap up the Premier League title. “It was absolutely diabolical,” Ferguson said, “It is a major decision. Granted, it hit his hand. But he has not lifted his hand above his shoulders, above his head, anything like that. It is going straight to Rio Ferdinand. The referee should have seen that rather than the linesman. If we’re not going to get those decisions then we are under pressure.”

Soccer Betting at SBG Global

Manchester United and Chelsea are now tied at the top of the Premier League standings but United has a big goal differential which means that if the two teams remain tied, United wins the title. For Chelsea to win, United must not win their final two games. They are home against West Ham next Saturday and then travel to Wigan on May 11th. If they win both games the title is theirs. If they lose or tie either game the door is open for Chelsea. The Blues finish at Newcastle and home against Bolton. “It’s still in our hands.” Ferguson said, “The players and the support are really fired up for the next game. Hopefully we can get the result we want.” Chelsea definitely believes that United could slip up in one of their final two games.

Read more on Soccer News: Late Penalty Gives Chelsea 2-1 Win over United

Chelsea got a very fortunate 1-1 draw at Liverpool in the first leg of the Soccer Betting Champions League semifinals on Tuesday as John Arne Riise scored an injury-time own-goal. Riise’s header went into his own net in the fifth minute of added time. It was a crushing blow for Liverpool who was just minutes away from a 1-0 win. Now Chelsea is the definite favorite to advance to the Champions League Final since they will host the second leg against Liverpool. “At the end, you must be really disappointed,” Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. “One minute in the first half, four minutes in the second half. Everyone was really disappointed. In these situations the only think you can do is try to be positive and try to think about the next game and be ready.”

Soccer Betting at SBG Global

This is the third time in the last four years that Chelsea and Liverpool have met in the Champions League semifinals. “I think we deserved definitely to get the draw at the end,” Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard said. “They had chances, we had chances. It was a battle and we carried on to the end.” Liverpool actually played better for most of the game and had a number of quality chances. Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech had to turn away Fernando Torres in the 31st minute but Liverpool got their goal in the 42nd minute as Dirk Kuyt was able to get one by Cech. It was the only goal Liverpool was able to get though as Cech denied Torres again in the second half and later stopped Steven Gerrard with a great save to keep it 1-0. “We had the better chances and we know we must play another 90 minutes,” Benitez said. “The team today was working really hard, especially creating chances, and we must do the same away.”

Read more on Soccer News: Chelsea Gets Lucky Draw in Champions League