My Thoughts
Ola! A return here to the blog for La Liga for the first time this season, with what looks like a relatively straightforward home banker for Real Madrid. With 4 wins from 4 league games thus far, the early signs are promising for the second galactico revolution. Mind you, that much was to be expected, given that they've yet to play a top side (i.e. Barcelona) domestically. Newly-promoted Tenerife have managed to win both their home games so far, including a 1-0 victory in midweek over Athletic Bilbao, while suffering 4-0 and 1-0 defeats at Mallorca and Zaragoza respectively. Both sides have a Basque midfield schemer by the name of Alonso in the centre of the park- brothers Xabi and Mikel look set to line up against one another on Saturday.
The Verdict
It's very difficult to make a case for anything other than a convincing home win. Manuel Pellegrini may be tempted to rest players ahead of Champions League action in midweek, but he still has an outrageously strong squad of players to call upon. Tenerife's early away form doesn't exactly inspire. Home win
The Bet
Outright, Madrid are too short to back at a general 1/8. However, given that they have kept clean sheets in their last 3 league games, and Tenerife have scored just 3 times this season (none away), Madrid to win to nil is worth a look. Given their attacking prowess, it's also worth considering over 2.5 goals
Showing posts with label Real Madrid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Real Madrid. Show all posts
Friday, 25 September 2009
Friday, 5 June 2009
And here are some more
Another couple of early tips for 2009/2010:
Real Madrid to win the Champions League @ 12/1 with Boylesports- with Manuel Pellegrini now in charge of affairs on the field, and Florentino Perez set to return off it (and all the Galacticos that he is likely to bring), Real surely won't be as bad as they were this season, and will surely challenge once again on the biggest stage. Blue Square also offer 7/4 on them winning La Liga. Odds are not available yet, but when they are it would be well worth covering either of these bets with a bet on Pellegrini to be sacked before May 2010- the demands of Real Madrid and Perez will no doubt be sufficiently high to demand success at all costs
Real Madrid to win the Champions League @ 12/1 with Boylesports- with Manuel Pellegrini now in charge of affairs on the field, and Florentino Perez set to return off it (and all the Galacticos that he is likely to bring), Real surely won't be as bad as they were this season, and will surely challenge once again on the biggest stage. Blue Square also offer 7/4 on them winning La Liga. Odds are not available yet, but when they are it would be well worth covering either of these bets with a bet on Pellegrini to be sacked before May 2010- the demands of Real Madrid and Perez will no doubt be sufficiently high to demand success at all costs
Friday, 8 May 2009
Valencia v Real Madrid, Saturday 9th May
My Thoughts
Confidence. A water-tight defence. Two good full-backs. A quality central midfield. Balance.
Judging by last Saturday's 6-2 (going on 26-2) horsing by Barcelona, the above is a list of things that Real Madrid do not currently have. Now they must pick themselves off the floor and travel to the Mestalla, to face a Valencia side scrapping it out for a top 3 finish. Valencia's resurgence this season is in no small part due to the goalscoring exploits of David Villa- only Samuel Eto'o has managed more than his 25 league goals this season. A mention also for midfielder Juan Manuel Mata, who has chipped in with another 10. Valencia's strong form this season is based more on attack than defence- while their goals for tally of 62 is the 4th best in La Liga, they only have the 9th best defence, with 50 goals conceded in La Liga this season. This writer will now, however, avoid going into detail about Real's stats. For them, the mission is simple: they simply MUST pick themselves up after last Saturday and win to maintain any sort of pressure on Barcelona: after their previous defeat to Barcelona (2-0 in the Camp Nou) they went unbeaten in La Liga until last Saturday, winning 17 and drawing 1 out of 18 games. A similar run is needed between now and the end of the season if they are to pull off an improbable victory.
The Verdict
This is an extremely difficult one to call. Valencia have not kept a clean sheet in 6 games, and only Barcelona have scored more (21 more, mind) than Real Madrid this season, so Juande Ramos' side will be hopeful of scoring: however, it's shutting David Villa and co out that will prove to be problematic. Real's record in the Mestalla is good, however, and they did win the reverse fixture 1-0 earlier this season. Games between the 2 sides have also tended to be slightly lower-scoring affairs. Some may feel that this writer is mad (not without justification, too) to back Real, but they are still capable of scoring Real to edge it. Just
The Bet
Real can be backed outright at 2/1 with Bet365. Alternatively, there are numerous tempting options on the anytime goalscorer front. Have a look at David Villa (best price 6/4 with Coral), Gonzalo Higuain (23/10 Boylesports) and Raul (11/5 Boylesports), although it might be an idea to wait until teamsheets are announced before backing anyone- it's not beyond the realms of possibility Madrid could go for a more defensive approach in the Mestalla.
Confidence. A water-tight defence. Two good full-backs. A quality central midfield. Balance.
Judging by last Saturday's 6-2 (going on 26-2) horsing by Barcelona, the above is a list of things that Real Madrid do not currently have. Now they must pick themselves off the floor and travel to the Mestalla, to face a Valencia side scrapping it out for a top 3 finish. Valencia's resurgence this season is in no small part due to the goalscoring exploits of David Villa- only Samuel Eto'o has managed more than his 25 league goals this season. A mention also for midfielder Juan Manuel Mata, who has chipped in with another 10. Valencia's strong form this season is based more on attack than defence- while their goals for tally of 62 is the 4th best in La Liga, they only have the 9th best defence, with 50 goals conceded in La Liga this season. This writer will now, however, avoid going into detail about Real's stats. For them, the mission is simple: they simply MUST pick themselves up after last Saturday and win to maintain any sort of pressure on Barcelona: after their previous defeat to Barcelona (2-0 in the Camp Nou) they went unbeaten in La Liga until last Saturday, winning 17 and drawing 1 out of 18 games. A similar run is needed between now and the end of the season if they are to pull off an improbable victory.
The Verdict
This is an extremely difficult one to call. Valencia have not kept a clean sheet in 6 games, and only Barcelona have scored more (21 more, mind) than Real Madrid this season, so Juande Ramos' side will be hopeful of scoring: however, it's shutting David Villa and co out that will prove to be problematic. Real's record in the Mestalla is good, however, and they did win the reverse fixture 1-0 earlier this season. Games between the 2 sides have also tended to be slightly lower-scoring affairs. Some may feel that this writer is mad (not without justification, too) to back Real, but they are still capable of scoring Real to edge it. Just
The Bet
Real can be backed outright at 2/1 with Bet365. Alternatively, there are numerous tempting options on the anytime goalscorer front. Have a look at David Villa (best price 6/4 with Coral), Gonzalo Higuain (23/10 Boylesports) and Raul (11/5 Boylesports), although it might be an idea to wait until teamsheets are announced before backing anyone- it's not beyond the realms of possibility Madrid could go for a more defensive approach in the Mestalla.
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Real Madrid v Barcelona, Saturday 2nd May
My Thoughts
There is no point in this writer eulogising about the impact Juande Ramos has had on Real Madrid; instead, I will simply present the following statistic: since losing 2-0 in the reverse match in Ramos' first match in charge in December, Real's league record is as follows: played 18, won 17, drawn 1, lost 0. This has led to, all of a sudden, there actually being a title race in La Liga this season, after looking like the league was going to be a walk in the park for Pep Guardiola's team, who have scored un utterly ridiculous 94 league goals so far this season. Real themselves, however, have not been shy in front of goal, themselves with 77 league goals so far this season, aided in no small part by the evergreen Raul, along with emerging superstars such as Gonzalo Higuain and Klass-Jan Huntelaar. With Barca losing centre-back Rafael Marquez for the rest of the season due to a knee injury suffered against Chelsea on Tuesday, this could be another high-scoring encounter.
The Verdict
Despite drawing their last 2 matches in all competitions, Barcelona are still very much the team to beat both domestically and in European competition. However, with the standards that the side set for themselves earlier this season being so high, it is inevitable that 2 draws will lead to suggestions that the Barca high-speed locomotive may have come off the rails. The technical ability of the side has never been in question: tonight, we'll see if they have the cojones to go with it. I reckon this could be a peach of a game, befitting of its clasico moniker. Score draw
The Bet
The draw can be backed at a best price of 5/2 with Stan James. Alternatively, the over 2.5 goals market can be backed at a general 8/15.
There is no point in this writer eulogising about the impact Juande Ramos has had on Real Madrid; instead, I will simply present the following statistic: since losing 2-0 in the reverse match in Ramos' first match in charge in December, Real's league record is as follows: played 18, won 17, drawn 1, lost 0. This has led to, all of a sudden, there actually being a title race in La Liga this season, after looking like the league was going to be a walk in the park for Pep Guardiola's team, who have scored un utterly ridiculous 94 league goals so far this season. Real themselves, however, have not been shy in front of goal, themselves with 77 league goals so far this season, aided in no small part by the evergreen Raul, along with emerging superstars such as Gonzalo Higuain and Klass-Jan Huntelaar. With Barca losing centre-back Rafael Marquez for the rest of the season due to a knee injury suffered against Chelsea on Tuesday, this could be another high-scoring encounter.
The Verdict
Despite drawing their last 2 matches in all competitions, Barcelona are still very much the team to beat both domestically and in European competition. However, with the standards that the side set for themselves earlier this season being so high, it is inevitable that 2 draws will lead to suggestions that the Barca high-speed locomotive may have come off the rails. The technical ability of the side has never been in question: tonight, we'll see if they have the cojones to go with it. I reckon this could be a peach of a game, befitting of its clasico moniker. Score draw
The Bet
The draw can be backed at a best price of 5/2 with Stan James. Alternatively, the over 2.5 goals market can be backed at a general 8/15.
Friday, 24 April 2009
Sevilla v Real Madrid, Sunday 26th April
My Thoughts
With all the focus having been on Barcelona and Real Madrid, it's been easy not to notice Sevilla this season, who are on course for a Champions League place in 3rd, albeit 18 points behind Madrid. Their current form, admittedly, is poor- 3 defeats on the spit, although that run is as much a function of facing trips to Valencia (a horrendously-tempered match in which no fewer than 8 Sevilla players were booked, with Adriano picking up 2 yellows from referee Bernardino Gonzalez Vazquez) and Barcelona within 4 days of each other, as it is of any slump in form for Manolo Jimenez's side. Real Madrid, on the other hand, are flying right now, seemingly capable of playing with style and panache (witness their 5-2 destruction of Athletic Bilbao and their 6-1 demolition of Real Betis) and also grinding out results (witness last weekend's 1-0 win at Recreativo, and their midweek 3-2 win over Getafe).
The Verdict
Games between these two sides tend to be high-scoring- their last 15 meetings in La Liga have produced an utterly preposterous total of 61 goals- their meeting at the Bernabeu earlier this season was no exception, with Sevilla emerging as 4-3 winners. I foresee another high-scoring encounter here, with Real Madrid coming out on top. Away win
The Bet
There are some fantastic bets available here. Real Madrid can be backed at 9/5 with Stan James (keen observers of the blog will notice a distinct lack of recommendations for Ladbrokes. Real are 5/4 with them for this one. Pfft). Consideration must also be given to the over/under goal markets- Victor Chandler offer 2/1 on over 3.5 goals, with Sporting Bet offering 9/2 on over 4.5. Betfair also offer 24/5 on a hat-trick being scored, which should be considered given the goalscoring talent on both sides- Kanoute, Higuain, Luis Fabiano, Huntelaar and Raul could all have a field day. Higuain to repeat his exploits against Getafe and score the last goal is available at 6/1 with Paddy Power and Bet365.
With all the focus having been on Barcelona and Real Madrid, it's been easy not to notice Sevilla this season, who are on course for a Champions League place in 3rd, albeit 18 points behind Madrid. Their current form, admittedly, is poor- 3 defeats on the spit, although that run is as much a function of facing trips to Valencia (a horrendously-tempered match in which no fewer than 8 Sevilla players were booked, with Adriano picking up 2 yellows from referee Bernardino Gonzalez Vazquez) and Barcelona within 4 days of each other, as it is of any slump in form for Manolo Jimenez's side. Real Madrid, on the other hand, are flying right now, seemingly capable of playing with style and panache (witness their 5-2 destruction of Athletic Bilbao and their 6-1 demolition of Real Betis) and also grinding out results (witness last weekend's 1-0 win at Recreativo, and their midweek 3-2 win over Getafe).
The Verdict
Games between these two sides tend to be high-scoring- their last 15 meetings in La Liga have produced an utterly preposterous total of 61 goals- their meeting at the Bernabeu earlier this season was no exception, with Sevilla emerging as 4-3 winners. I foresee another high-scoring encounter here, with Real Madrid coming out on top. Away win
The Bet
There are some fantastic bets available here. Real Madrid can be backed at 9/5 with Stan James (keen observers of the blog will notice a distinct lack of recommendations for Ladbrokes. Real are 5/4 with them for this one. Pfft). Consideration must also be given to the over/under goal markets- Victor Chandler offer 2/1 on over 3.5 goals, with Sporting Bet offering 9/2 on over 4.5. Betfair also offer 24/5 on a hat-trick being scored, which should be considered given the goalscoring talent on both sides- Kanoute, Higuain, Luis Fabiano, Huntelaar and Raul could all have a field day. Higuain to repeat his exploits against Getafe and score the last goal is available at 6/1 with Paddy Power and Bet365.
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