Real Madrid to win with both teams scoring – 11/4
If you go along with the statement that ‘familiarity breeds contempt’, then Real Madrid and their city neighbours Atlético must really be sick of the sight of each other at this stage.
This will be the fourth time in four seasons the pair have met in the Champions League – a stat that includes two finals in 2013/14, 2015/16 (both won by Real). Amazingly, Diego Simeone’s side have failed to win any of those meetings with their greatest rivals and that must change if they’re to have a third crack at Europe’s richest prize in four years.
While Zinedine Zidane’s charges have been on an impressive 10-game undefeated run in this Champions League, the Frenchman will be worried that his team have conceded in every game they played so far in the competition.
Los Blancos have taken four points off Atlético this season in La Liga and our traders make them 3/4 favourites tonight. However, their defensive frailties have us fancying the 11/4 shot of a Real victory with both teams scoring.
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Antoine Griezmann to have an assist anytime – 4/1
He may be tangled in a long term courtship with Manchester United, but that flirtation hasn’t affected the form of Atlético superstar Antoine Griezmann one bit.
The Frenchman has hit the back of the net 16 times in La Liga this season and is clearly the lynchpin of Simeone’s plans in the forward department.
Griezmann has also laid on seven goals for his teammates domestically and has been directly involved in exactly half of Atlético’s 30 goals Champions League in the last two seasons.
It’s so difficult to keep him out of the play that we believe the United target could well punish Real with an anytime assist tonight at a juicy 4/1. You heard it here first!
Over 2.5 goals in the game – Evens
This is not a bet that’s fallen a lot recently, in fact it’s only been beaten once in the last eight Madrid derbies.
However, Real have been on an absolute tear in front of goals in the Champions League this season, netting at least two goals in every game they’ve played.
Atlético are no slouches either, holding an impressive average of 1.3 goals per game in Europe so far in the campaign.
If the home side hit their stride tonight, that may force Simeone’s men out of their defensive shell and it could topple the Evens punt of over 2.5 goals in tonight’s contest. Here’s hoping…
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* All prices correct at time of posting.