Did someone say there is a full midweek Premier League program this week? Guess what…I really don’t care, because if there is one match worth watching this week, its the first leg of the Copa Del Rey semi-final between the two best teams in the world. Its el Clasico time!
Madrid are coming into this match in fantastic form having endured rumours of dressing room unrest, a slide down the table and a defensive absentee list that could have you believe they were fielding their youth team.
Barcelona had a bit of a blip (one game!) but came back extremely strongly at the weekend. The two main men are also on fire at the moment, Ronaldo has looked unstoppable lately and Messi, well, he’s Messi. This has all the ingredients of a top match, but I hope to make it even better with a few bets on the side.
The first selection is an absolute no-brainer for me. In the current season, Real Madrid have scored in every single competitive home match they have played in, and not to be bettered, Barcelona have also scored in every single away match.
In Madrid’s home games, 50% have seen both teams score in all competitions, while both teams have found the net in 67% of Barcelona’s competitive away games this season. The run of both teams scoring in fixtures between these two teams stretches to an impressive 10 games, and with the current form, surely this will continue.
The second selection is for goals goals and more goals! As I said, both teams are flying at the minute and the goals must surely come. Madrid have been scoring an average of 3.20 goals per game in La Liga this season, and Barca averaging even higher away from home at a staggering 3.36 goals per game.
In Real’s 18 home games this season, the net has bulged 3 or more times on 14 occasions, with Barca’s away games (again) being a more impressive. I just can’t see how this could turn into a drab game, so I’ll be dipping into the goals markets.
The last statistical selection revolves around, you guessed it, goals! If the above are anything to go by, then surely both teams will contribute to a high total, but the value might actually lie in the team goals markets in this game.
Taking a look at both teams records this season will surely back this one up as well. Real have scored at least 2 goals of their competitive home games this season, and Barcelona have done the same, so the prices on offer for the teams to do so again are pretty attractive.
So there are my bets for what should be a cracker, but who will win I here you say! As I said, both teams arrive in fantastic form, but Madrid have some injury concerns at the back that Barca could exploit.
However, the replacements are equally as experienced, and I expect they will handle the occasion. Real’s last home defeat was in January 2012 to, you guessed it, Barcelona! But, given that Madrid have all but flew the white flag on the league, I think Mourinho will have them absolutely stoked for this one, and I honestly think they can pull it off.
I will keep my stakes small and save for the goals bets. Good luck and enjoy some proper footy!
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