Totti strike scuppers punter’s Colossus jackpot
BOOKMAKERS make it almost a choice affair between Manchester City and Roma qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages after the Italian side held City to a draw on Tuesday.
Francseco Totti equalised for Roma after Sergio Aguero had put City ahead through an early penalty, and the Italian striker’s leveller proved costly for a punter who stood on the brink of a £1m payout.
The last surviving player in the weekend Colossus pool needed a home win to complete his 15-leg wager, having already seen Stoke edge past Newcastle the previous day.
He had been offered a £320,000 cash-in for his ticket but chose to take just ten per cent of that and also turned down an offer of £241,000 at half-time when the scores at the Etihad were level.
Bayern Munich are 1-4 to top Group E, with City just favoured at 10-11 to qualify alongside them and Roma rate even-money shots.
Zenit and Monaco, who both won on matchday one, played out a 0-0 draw in Wednesday’s early kick-off in St Petersburg. Zenit had been 8-11 favourites for another three points.
Gianfranco Zola has been backed into 6-4 second-favourite for the vacant Fulham manager's position on Wednesday afternoon. Caretaker Kit Symons remained a 5-4 favourite before the Cottagers' Championship home game with Bolton.