ATLETICO MADRID have performed miracles to edge ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the title race and stay in contention to win the Champions League.
Their success adds an edge to tonight's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at the Bernabeu.
Real's run of 10 wins in a row as ended by a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao at the weekend and star man Cristiano Ronaldo was red carded for a bit of petulance.
That ban will be served in league games so he's available on Wednesday and Gareth Bale could return from his latest injury.
So despite Sunday's draw and Atletico's rise to the top I'm on Real to make it 13 home wins on the spin and take a lead to the Vicente Calderon.
They are a best 10-11 with William Hill while Atletico are 3-1 with McBookie and others and the draw 11-4 at bet365.
Ronaldo always heads the scorer markets and is 3-1 with Ladbrokes to break the deadlock with Bale 7-1 at Coral.
Atletico's likely man is 20-goal Brazilian-born Spain star Diego Costa who is 6-1 with McBookie to break the deadlock and 2-1 with 888sport to net at any time.
Real, unbeaten in 21 games, have been defending superbly with just one goal conceded in nine games so Atletico are guaranteed an away strike.
Half of the last four meetings have been over 2.5 goals and half under so it's a difficult call on that market.
Atletico beat Real in last season’s final and beat their neighbours in the league early in the campaign but they've won just five of the last 29 showdowns. I can't see Real losing three in a row so back them for the win.
The other semi-final features Barcelona at home to Real Sociedad. Barca are just 1-7 at Hills and Ladbrokes.
But having scored 14 in their last four home meetings with Sociedad – including 4-1 this season – they should cover the -2 handicap at 10-11 with bet365 and Ladbrokes – despite losing at home to Valencia at the weekend.
Recommended Bets
Real Madrid
(10-11, William Hill)
Ronaldo to score first
(3-1, Ladbrokes)
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.
Ronaldo 1st goal great bet
Bale is back!
I’ll be going for Real over 1.5 team goals here at 4/5
Well troy lad, im not so sure about Bale, the few times iv seen him this season he looked lifeless
Do away goals count in this, and when will they come into play? Sometimes in some cup’s it’s after both 90mins and sometimes its after extra time as I’ve only recently found out?? If so athleti might push for atleast one away goal!
Graeme, away goals count but I don’t think they count until after extra time.
Real Madrid to win 3-1 14/1
One if u fancy athletico 1-0 11/1
I looked at the 3-1 Graham, but I don’t really have a strong inclination on this one. If I had to choose, I’d probably go for a 1-0 either way. Atleti 1-0 is 14/1 at Coral, which is a pretty generous price it seems to me.
Cheers Mr F, in that case I think a narrow win Real! Ronaldo hasn’t played well at all single winning ballon, he needs to step up to this sort of game again and prove he wants to win things!
I’m looking forward to this game. I might do a small bet on David Villa to score(9/4) and in the barca game Griezmann to score(4/1).
Possible results for me 2-1 1-0 0-0 1-1 2-2 classic or 0-1 1-2 real only win 2 of those 7 results, so staying well away from them for that reason, its gonna be a tight, interesting contest, maybe real will go away with a 1 goal lead but i’m for sure not on them
Both teams defend superbly so I think under 2.5 goals has a decent chance
Real Madrid are over rated and were extremely lucky to win several games against weaker opposition this season. Winning by a single goal here and there does not promote much confidence.I simply cannot see Real beating Atletico whether home or away. Please feel free to name any teams of calibre in this WONDERFUL unbeaten run they are currently on???
They will be exposed and punished against a well organized Atletico team, Bilbao showed just how good Real’s defence is at the weekend and but for some poor finishing the game should have been won at half time. No lucky escapes tonight! Atletico to complete a quickfire treble over their arch rivals!
Double chance Atletico M.
i have to say its very brave to call a winner in this match.athletico are no mugs i was thinking draw but now i am in two minds.
macca the red, I was in 3 minds at the start. I’ve got to make the calls – some will be right and others won’t. There is no concensus on this one – plenty going for Real but many taking Atletico not to lose.
Warren777, Shows how good a team they are then if they don’t play well winning by the odd goal and still winning games. Not many teams would be able to do that.
And they beat Valencia 3-2 away (Barcelona beaten at home by them on Saturday) and real societad 5-1 Sevilla 7-3 3 of the more decent teams in the league because there are no world class teams in that league.
Yous may all think barcas world class but I get bored watching them I would rather watch cbeebies
Im personally finding it impossible to bet against a team that are top of the league, have lost just once in 37 games in all competitions and who got the better of Real the last two times theyve clashed.
Yes, athletico have only won 5 of the last 29 showdowns, but that doesn’t mean real won the other 24! And though the head to head record is one sided, athletico are a far better team now than they’ve ever been before.
I expect a tight, low scoring draw. Prediction 0:0 or 1:1
Ad, that’s the perils of football betting. I’ve got to pick teams, often from difficult TV games, and at the end of the day whoever turns up tonight, plays best and wants it more will win. When you look at the sides there’s not much to split them but I feel Real with home advantage will edge it.
^ very open to the possibility Real will run away with it now I’ve said all that!
BARCELONA VS REAL SOCIEDAD TIPS
Barcelona will be keen to get back onto the winning track tonight after their 3-2 defeat to Valencia at the weekend. I could see Barcelona grabbing 4 or 5 goals tonight and one man who gas a decent chance of getting onto the scoresheet is 6ft 4 centre back Gerard Pique. He’s always a threat with set pieces and he has scored twice in Barcelona’s previous five matches, one of which being the first goal. He’s available at a standout price of 25/1 for first goal with Bet365. To score anytime he is a best price of 13/2 with Bet365 but I’d advise backing him each way as you’ll get a shade over 8/1 if he scores anytime. I’ve had to get someone else to place my bets due to my account being closed.
Recommended Bets:
Gerard Pique First Goalscorer ew @ 25/1
Gerard Piquie First Goalscorer 1-20 mins @ 65/1
Good luck everyone!!
Ronaldo first goal 1-20 minutes 8/1
Is Ronaldo not suspended after a straight red the weekend?
i3enno, as I’ve said a few times Ronaldo is not banned.
Apologises ive just read what you wrote
Hats off to you Mr fix it, your punts proven very good indeed
Ad, cheers. Fancied Real big time tonight.
You didn’t quite talk me round to backing them, but you did persuade me not to bet against them, and that’s just as good!
BORING BARCA!!