Chelsea earns scoreless draw at Barcelona

Soccer Betting Lines

04/28/2009 - Barcelona, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Petr Cech made six saves and Chelsea earned a 0-0 tie against Barcelona on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals at Camp Nou.

Barcelona took 20 shots, including six on goal, but was held scoreless at the Camp Nou for the first time this season. Chelsea took just three shots - one on goal.

Barca was shutout in its fourth straight semifinal match, dating back to 2006. Barcelona tied the second leg of its semifinal series against AC Milan 0-0 that year, and was shut out in both legs against Manchester United last season.

Chelsea, which allowed five goals in its quarterfinal win over Liverpool, hosts the second leg at Stamford Bridge on May 6.

Barcelona was the most impressive team in the early stages of the first leg but failed to test Cech. Barca, led by its trio of Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry - who have combined for 81 goals this season in La Liga and the Champions League - fired off numerous long-range efforts. Henry was the first to test Cech in the 34th, but his shot was knocked wide.

Chelsea countered with its lone scoring chance in the 39th but Barcelona goalie Victor Valdes came up big for his lone save of the game. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba had a one-on-one chance against Valdes, but Valdes denied Drogba's first shot and then deflected a potential second chance.

After half, the match turned into a physical affair with Henry being completely knocked out in the 48th minute after a collision with Chelsea's Alex. Henry was on the ground for a few minutes before wobbling off, but did continue.

Barca suffered a bigger blow just seconds later, though, when central defender Rafael Marquez collapsed with an apparent knee injury. Marquez was just walking the ball up the field when he crumpled and had to be helped off.

Barcelona's Daniel Alves was the next to go down in the 54th and Drogba took an elbow to the head in the 61st, but both were able to finish the match.

The Spanish giants finally started to test Cech in the last 25 minutes but they could not solve Cech, or just wasted the chance. Alves curled a free kick just over the crossbar in the 67th, and Eto'o was denied by a kick save from Cech in the 69th.

Barcelona's Carles Puyol, who replaced Marquez, hurt his club's chances in the second leg in the 75th when he picked up a yellow card. Puyol will miss the second leg, and Marquez is unlikely to play after picking up the injury.

Barca youngster Bojan Krkic missed a chance for the winner in the 90th, heading over the crossbar from close range, and Alexander Hleb was denied by Cech on a breakaway in the 93rd to cap the Blues' goalie's big match.

Chelsea, which was obviously playing for a tie, possessed the ball far less and didn't look very dangerous, but will likely be a different team at home as it tries to return to the Champions League final for the second straight year.

On Wednesday, Arsenal visits Manchester United for the first leg in the other semifinal in a clash of English rivals.

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An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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