THERE are some big games this weekend – but none bigger than Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (9pm).
Gareth Bale may or may not be involved but one thing's for sure his presence has fired up Cristiano Ronaldo to play even better.
Ronaldo famously has a goal-a-game career record with the Spanish giants but since his club splashed £86million on the Welshman, Ronaldo has hit an astonishing 11 goals in five starts (including a hat-trick for Portugal in Belfast).
He has seven in his last three for Real and tonight will take centre stage in the Madrid derby at the Bernabeu.
Both sides have won five and drawn one of their first six but with Ronaldo in sublime form you have to like Real at a standout 3-4 with William Hill.
They have come out on top in the last five La Liga meetings but of course crashed in the Copa del Rey final at the end of last season.
Ronaldo is just 14-5 at 888sport to break the deadlock and 1-2 to net at anytime.
He has netted eight in eight games against Atletico, according to Oddschecker, and is 11-10 with Bwin to score in a home success.
Atletico’s Brazilian star Diego Costa, who has four in three games, is worth a look at 3-1 with Betfred to net at anytime.
While I fancy Real there should be plenty of goals. Six of the last seven clashes have seen both score and tonight that is 8-15 at McBookie.com. Over 3.5 goals pays 5-4 at bet365.
The last two clashes have seen a goal scored in the first 15 minutes. A repeat pays 8-5 with William Hill
Last week’s Big Hitters treble – featured in my Daily Record column – came in at a best of the season 9-2.
Real Madrid and Barcelona easily covered the -1 handicap and Napoli sealed the success with their win at AC Milan on Sunday night.
Barca have now netted 18 goals in six games and it’s difficult to leave them off this weekend’s treble. Their last two visits to Almeria have produced 3-0 and 8-0 wins –and they face a side that’s conceded 13 goals in five outings.
It’s been messy defending from the Andalusians – and that’s without facing Messi. Take Barca -1 at 2-5.
I’m completing the treble with German big guns Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern have won eight in a row at home to Wolfsburg, netting 24 goals, and last season it was 6-1. The
Champions League holders have hit 11 goals in four meetings and stunned Schalke 4-0 away last time out.
Wolfsburg have lost their last three away games by two goals so Bayern -1 should come in at 9-20 with Titanbet.
Add Dortmund who haven’t been as prolific but who love facing Freiburg. Dortmund have been on the road three times – scoring just four goals – since they thumped Hamburg 6-2 on their last home appearance.
Freiburg have lost 5-1, 4-0 and 3-0 on their last three trips to the Westfalenstadion so will look forward to going there as much as a small child anticipates a visit to the dentist. Dortmund -1 is 8-13 at Titanbet.
Big Hitters Treble
Barcelona -1 (5pm)
Bayern -1 (2.30pm)
Dortmund -1 (2.30pm)
Pays 9-4 at Titanbet
Recommended Bets
Real Madrid
(3-4, William Hill)
Ronaldo to score first
(14-5, 888bet)
Costa to score
(3-1, Betfred)
Euro both teams to score
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (9pm)
Evian v Bordeaux (7pm)
Utrecht v Roda (6.45pm)
Pays £47 to a £10 stake at BetVictor
Saturday Evening European Football (5PM ONWARDS)
Treble – St Etienne – Genk – AC Milan
Double – Zwolle – Legia Warsaw
Single – Grasshoppers 2 Score In Both Halves
Both 2 Score Treble
Lyon – Lille
Alkmaar – PSV
Real Sociedad – Sevilla
Anytime Goal Scorers
Dario Cvitanich (Nice)
Steve De Ridder (Utrecht)
Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos)
Im sticking with Athletico tonight as I took them at 66/1 to win the league. Koke first goal A Madrid 2-1 pays 170/1, yes I am mad.
Team Dortmund are playing have scored in every game and not lost by more than a goal. Rangers – GOALS looks safer.
Rangers -3 sounds good Alva.
Hope so going to ibrox the day. Daly fgs
I took tha big hitters treble meself mr f, iv also done each 3 teams -2 cuz the stats speak for there selves @ if it does go the way of the previous stats it can be done ! I took the -2 treble at 11.31 @williamhill
Hoffenheim-Schalke btts @1.5
Real Madrid-Atletico Madrid btts @1.6
Milan-Sampdoria over 2.5 goals @1.8
Nice-Guingamp home @2
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toal @8.64
Well flagged up Got Costa and 15 min