Champions League final to be a £50 million betting frenzy

Champions League final fever has set in for punters worldwide according to Ladbrokes.

The bookies are predicting industry turnover levels of up to £50 million on one of the busiest days for bookies outside of the Grand National.

Seasoned football punters and novices alike are all placing bets on the match which is set to eclipse the World Cup final’s turnover levels with the majority of backers siding with Barcelona.

The Catalan giants are even money to win the match inside 90 minutes and 1/2 to lift the trophy. It’s 11/4 United get the job done inside normal time with 13/8 the price they lift the trophy by any means.

All eyes will also be on Ryan Giggs with punters keen to back him to score first (7/1), to be sent off (28/1) and to be the match of the match (16/1).

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “This game has whipped everyone into a betting frenzy. We’ve not seen turnover like this for a club match in a long time and all the big hitters are backing Barca – if they lift the trophy we’re in trouble”

he added: “The Giggs scandal has added extra spice to the match and punters seem to think he’ll be busy on the pitch as well.”

Ladbrokes latest betting

Barcelona – Evens
Draw – 12/5
Manchester United – 11/4

To lift the trophy
Barcelona – 1/2
Manchester United – 13/8

Champions League final specials

Who will be mentioned by the ITV commentary team first?
Shakira – 10/11
Coleen Rooney – 6/4
Imogen Thomas – 4/1

Man of the match
Lionel Messi – 7/2
Wayne Rooney – 6/1
Andrés Iniesta – 7/1
Xavi – 8/1
Edwin Van Der Sar – 11/1
David Villa – 12/1
Javier Hernandez – 12/1
Ryan Giggs – 12/1
Pedro – 16/1
Dimitar Berbatov – 16/1
Nani – 16/1
Daniel Alves – 16/1
20/1 bar

Ryan Giggs to score and be sent off in normal time – 250/1
Ryan Giggs to score last and Manchester United win in normal time – 33/1
Ryan Giggs to score in extra time and Manchester United to win the trophy – 66/1

Patrice Evra to be the first player to foul Lionel Messi – 7/2
Nemanja Vidic to be the first player to foul Lionel Messi – 4/1
Park Ji-Sung to be the first player to foul Lionel Messi – 5/1
Darren Fletcher to be the first player to foul Lionel Messi – 5/1
Fabio to be the first player to foul Lionel Messi – 5/1
Rafael to be the first player to foul Lionel Messi – 5/1
Paul Scholes to be the first player to foul Lionel Messi – 6/1
Nani to be the first player to foul Lionel Messi – 6/1
John O’Shea to be the first player to foul Lionel Messi – 7/1
Chris Smalling to be the first player to foul Lionel Messi – 7/1
Wayne Rooney to be the first player to foul Lionel Messi – 7/1
8/1 bar

Wayne Rooney to swap shirts with Lionel Messi – 8/1
Paul Scholes to swap shirts with Lionel Messi – 9/1
Edwin van der Sar to swap shirts with Lionel Messi – 12/1
Javier Hernandez to swap shirts with Lionel Messi – 14/1
Antonio Valencia to swap shirts with Lionel Messi – 14/1
Darren Fletcher to swap shirts with Lionel Messi – 14/1
Rio Ferdinand to swap shirts with Lionel Messi – 14/1
Rafael to swap shirts with Lionel Messi – 14/1
Nani to swap shirts with Lionel Messi – 14/1
Nemanja Vidic to swap shirts with Lionel Messi – 14/1
14/1 bar

Any Barcelona player to be booked for simulation – 5/1

Any player to drop the Champions League trophy during celebrations – 5/1