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Oftentimes I like to reflect on what we learned from the first leg to enable us to better understand what to expect from the second leg.
However, the one thing that keeps coming back to me is that Karim Benzema is very good at football and Chelsea are not. Which, to put it lightly, is a problem for the Chels.
However, there is a sense that desperate Chelsea is the best version of them, and when they force the issue, they’re considerably better than they otherwise would be.
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But what use is that to them in Madrid when they’re already tactically inferior to them when they’re not being forced to play with reckless abandon?
Well, I’d anticipate fireworks – and that’s not because of those lunatics behind the goal lobbing flares off Marcos Alonso’s luscious locks.
End to end nonsense is what I like to describe these games as. And generally speaking, you can often be disappointed because the end result doesn’t come. But with the best striker in the world, a team that just hit six at the weekend and some questionable goalkeeping from the away side last week – I think we know how this goes. To the bet builder!
The latest Bet Builder football odds are over at PaddyPower.com right now*A Bet Builder with these four bets pays at approximately 12/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Real Madrid to Win
I think Chelsea know full-well that they can’t leave this until the second half because the cynical side of this Real unit can effectively end this as a contest with time-wasting.
Instead, they’ll be tasked, and in some ways afforded the opportunity to be given the ball and to run into space behind the Real backline.
This will cause severe issues for them as they overload because Madrid break at outrageous pace – possibly quicker than any team outside of England’s big two – and they’ll be handed easy chances to convert early on in the game.
Chelsea could well be digging up from here.
Karim Benzema to Score Anytime
I’m not suggesting he’ll be given many easier chances than the one he got for his third last week, but you can pretty much guarantee he’ll get one or two easier than either of his first two goals. So, swings and roundabouts.
Chelsea couldn’t cope with his movement when balls came into the box because they’re essentially zonal when playing with a back three – and there is always space for him to occupy.
But they’re committed to it now and it won’t be changing.
Mason Mount to Have a Shot on Target
A real confidence player, Mount might have the technical ability required to take this game by the scruff of the neck.
While I can’t be confident that will find an end result, I can be fairly certain he’ll be shooting on sight in order to at least try and force the issue.
Over 3.5 Goals
When we think of things that stretch, our minds immediately go to elastic bands and those jeans you pick up in Primark.
Well, let me tell you – Chelsea chasing a game of football late on with the width they maintain in attacking passages should be the third entry into your mind in this instance.
I anticipate goals early and goals late, so this feels like the natural selection to lump in.
Real Madrid v Chelsea betting tips:
Real Madrid to Win
Karim Benzema to Score Anytime
Mason Mount to Have 1 or More Shots on Target
Over 3.5 Goals
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