IN my Saturday Daily Record column I've started doing a Big Hitters Treble and I've had a 50 per cent hit rate on it at average odds of 5-2 (three wins out of six).
I've commented about it once or twice and originally it was meant to be big hitters in the sense of punters wanting to do a big treble.
However, it's turned into bet involving big teams and this weekend I decided to focus on Real Madrid and Barcelona after their goal-laden displays in the Champions League group openers.
With Real at home to Getafe on Saturday and Barcelona at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday I knew I had to look at the handicaps for some value – and was surprised when first attempt worked out at 10-1.
Now I can't really put up a 10-1 bet as the Big Hitters line as it doesn't make sense but I'm on the treble and thought I'd share it anyway.
I started looking to both teams -2 as I expected -1 to be short and Real -2 pays 17-20 at Titanbet and Barca -2 is 5-4.
Real have won 4-0, 4-2 and 4-0 in the last three seasons against Getafe while Barca have won 7-0 and 5-0 at Rayo on their last two trips.
Backing teams to win by three or more is always a gamble but Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo can always do it themselves. Both scored hat-tricks in midweek and could be looking to outdo each other again.
Both -2 pays 3-1 with Titanbet and I reckon I'll be on that unless I read Ronaldo or Messi are missing.
An anytime scorers double on Messi and Ronaldo this weekend pays just 9-10 at Titanbet. But you know what – it's more likely to happen than not.
So how to I get to 10-1? Well, here's the piece de resistance or should say I pizza de resistance.
The first thing I did after watching AC Milan beat Celtic on Wednesday was check to see who the Italians were facing next. Milan were really poor against Celtic and got out of jail with two late goals after being outplayed in the San Siro.
AC had eight or nine players missing and most will be out when Napoli visit this weekend. That's right Napoli, the side who beat Borussia Dortmund more comfortably than the scoreline suggested in midweek and who have a 100 per cent record in Serie and have won eight of their last nine away.
If Milan play like they did against Celtic they will be thumped. Napoli are 7-4 at Titanbet and therefore the 10-1 treble.
Celtic dominated the game, winning the race to 4.5 and 9 corners at big prices I noticed, but paid for a lack of a cutting edge. How they are missing Gary Hooper even though Anthony Stokes is playing well.
With the likes of Lorenzo Insigne and Gonzalo Higuain in their line-up – the scorers against Dortmund – that shouldn't be a problem for Rafael Benitez's outfit who are emerging as the most likely title challengers to Juventus.
And you know what tempts me too? Napoli -1 at 9-2 which makes the treble 22-1. It is of course a long shot but I reckon I'll give it a go.
Meanwhile, bet365 make any player other than Messi or Ronaldo 13-8 to win the Champions League Golden Boot. I like 4-9 Messi or Ronaldo will take the prize – and who else is there?
Ronaldo is 11-8 with bet365 to score more goals than Messi (7-4) this weekend with the tie 9-4.
Post your comments on these bets as usual but let us know who you fancy this weekend to win on the handicaps.
Recommended bets
Real Madrid -2 (Sun, 6pm)
(17-20, Titanbet)
Barcelona -2 (Sat, 7pm)
(5-4, Titanbet)
Messi/Ronaldo both to score
(9-10, Titanbet)
Napoli (Sun, 7.45pm)
(7-4, Titanbet)
Napoli -1
(9-2, Titanbet)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Love these picks mrf . Lovely bit of research ,I’ll be having a bang on those.good luck for the weekend
Ronaldo to score is 6/1 and messi is 5/1 :shock: .. got on the rest though
Don’t fancy Barca -2. Chelsea,Celtic & Rangers is my big hit.
Keith. He means to score anytime..
Oh see what u mean now. 1/6 n 1/5 ha. Thought they were big odds to score first!!!
Napoli playing well and with Benitez organising them, no wonder. He is the most under rated manager the premiership have had, never mind jose the moron, Benitez is the man. (I am not a L’Pool supporter)
Napoli at 7/4 looks like VALUE.
I’ll have them along with Wycombe and Messi and Ronaldo to score anytime.
Well said coops re rafa. He’s a great manager and gets unwarranted stick. In the final months at Liverpool he subbed off Torres when 0-0 or 1 down away at Birmingham and even Gerrard was left scratching his head at that and I thought he had lost it and it was time for him to go. But then Liverpool appointed hodgson and Liverpool fans quickly realised how good it was with rafa. I like that treble and will be on it, not a good idea to go big on it though
Very nice mr f add athletico Madrid -1 at 9/5 for extra value bang on form an last trips to Valladolid 3-0 & 4-0
So I took barca -2.5 ah atletico Madrid -1 now need Real Madrid -2.5 ah and a Napoli win for a 1k payout. One question, what’s the difference between asian handicap and normal handicap cos I often notice there’s a bit of a odds difference between the 2, cheers
Madi, no draw on Asian handicaps.
Thanks for that mr f. Tomorrow will be interesting. With barca winning 4-0 I can see Real Madrid trying to match that, just slightly unsure on Napoli but they’re in good form and playing well.
Madi, Napoli are in form but I’ve made no secret of the fact my treble is based on Milan’s poor show against Celtic.