The last of the 4 Quarter finals in the Champions League,
and a relatively successful set of bets at that, although maybe would have been
nice to have some more exciting quarter finals. Anyone lamenting the fact that favourites
Barcelona and until now at least tonight’s performers Real Madrid have proven
so dominant can now look forward to hopefully a double legged El Clasico semi –
final, to add to the King’s Cup final and the game on Saturday.
Exacting as that is, the focus is on tonight’s game between
Tottenham & Madrid, so entertaining in this season’s competition.
Oddly enough, we’ll start with Team News, as Madrid will be
boosted with the return of Karim Benzema and with Adebayor and Higuain both
fit, so attacking options are all well and good, along with Ozil, Ronaldo and
Kaka maybe playing with the weekend in mind.
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| Adebayor (white kit) heads the first of four |
Vedran Corluka and Niko Kranjcar are not expected to recover
from knee and ankle injuries in time to make it back for the match, while Peter
Coruch’s stupid red card means his Champions League is all but over.
Before gaining their most important result of the Champions
League (a 0-0 draw which allowed them to progress against Milan) Tottenham had
won every single game in the competition held at White Hart Lane, including a 3
-1 defeat of Inter.
Bookmakers seem well aware of Spurs ability, especially at
home - Tottenham are no bigger than 23/10 to win here – But that makes very
little appeal given the margin between the two teams last week and the gaps
that Tottenham will surely leave open given the attacking style they’ll play
with.
For all that many see this as a simple task for Real, they won’t
be coasting here. Manager Jose Mourinho said, speaking on Monday - “I agree
with Redknapp (speaking previously). Football always offers surprises. We must
respect Tottenham Hotspur. I know the mentality of English teams and, if I were
in their situation, I would never throw in the towel. We will play a serious
game and we’ll look to score goals. It will be hard for Spurs to make a
comeback. “
This suggests that both teams will be going all out to
score, and Bet365’s 4/5 about over 2.5 makes real appeal, as does a quote of
8/13 about both sides notching. Short as they are, I’d be very surprised if
they didn’t both come in here.
In all reality this should be a formality in terms of qualifying
for Madrid but don’t let that excuse of going through the motions put you off
them. Mourinho’s teams thrive on momentum and wouldn’t be wanting to go into El
Clasico this weekend off the back of anything but a win and can be backed to
beat Tottenham tonight.
Advice
2 pts Real Madrid to beat Tottenham (5/4 Paddy Power)
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