Be quick on draw in Moscow

The Premier League title race between Chelsea and Manchester United went to the wire and there is likely to be little between the teams when they meet in the Champions League final in Moscow on Wednesday night.

United are the marginal favourites to lift the trophy - most firms make them 8-11, with Chelsea 11-10 - but choosing between the pair on a one-off basis, at a neutral venue in Russia, is almost impossible.

For punting purposes, then, the bet has to be the final finishing as a draw after normal time at a best price of 11-5 with Skybet. And splitting stakes on the pair winning on penalties - Bet365 offer both at 10-1 - could also be worth a flutter.

There would certainly be a symmetry to the whole season if the tie were decided on penalties because spot-kicks were required when the sides met in the FA Community Shield at Wembley back on August 5. That match had ended 1-1.

Few would have predicted then that Jose Mourinho would be succeeded by Avram Grant, or that Cristiano Ronaldo would score 44 goals in the intervening months.

Since the Community Shield, the teams have traded victories in the league.

Chelsea won the latest scrap only last month courtesy of a late winner against a depleted United, but that clash will be remembered for seven bookings; Rio Ferdinand losing his temper down the tunnel and a post-match confrontation on the pitch.

Hopefully, Wednesday’s encounter will be remembered or all the right reasons but, for the record, Chelsea are 10-11 with Ladbrokes to have most players booked, with United being 6-4. The pair are 4-1 to see an equal number of cards.