Di Matteo cut again to stay in charge of Blues

CHELSEA remain in contention to land their first Champions League trophy after completing a 3-1 aggregate victory over Benficabut they
are expected to struggle when locking horns with reigning champions
Barcelona in the semi-finals.

Even the Blues’ former manager Jose Mourinho cannot envisage a
successful outcomefor the Londoners and describes Barcelona as
‘super-favourites’ for the last four clash.

Mourinho’s view is shared by the layers, with Barca no bigger than 1-5
to reach the final, while Chelsea are available at a best-priced 9-2
with BetVictor.

The Catalans are warm 4-5 favourites to win the first leg at Stamford
Bridge, with the draw at 11-4 and the home win as big as 7-2.

Chelsea have won seven of their nine matches under interim manager
Roberto Di Matteo, who is angling to land the job on a long-term
basis.

Di Matteo was cut 3-1 from 4-1 in Coral’s next Chelsea manager market after Wednesday’s game but he faces competition from a number of big-name alternatives including Mourinho, the 7-2 second favourite.

The Portuguese’s first task is to steer Real Madrid through a tricky
Champions League semi-final clash with Bayern Munich.

He has described Bayern as ‘a powerful opponent’ but the markets
favour the La Liga side, who are 4-7 to reach the final and 6-4 to
fall short.

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent is refusing to give up on his battle
to make England’s Euro 2012 squad afer stepping up his rehabilitation from ankle surgery.

However, time appears to be running out for the 28-year-old, who is
4-1 with Hills to be on the plane and 1-7 to miss out.