Real Madrid are a club that want everything but top of their
list is a tenth Champions League and Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who seem to have
everything going for them at the moment, can make short work of last 16
opponents Schalke in their first leg tonight.
Much has been made of Real Madrid’s poor record in Germany –
they have won just once in 25 previous visits to German opposition, losing 18
times, but three of those previous recent defeats have come at the hands of
last season’s finalists Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich and Schalke, as
good a side as they are, aren’t in the same class as that pair. We made much of
Barcelona’s away record when backing the draw in their last 16 first leg but
City’s poor record against Europe’s best came to roost again as the class gap
between the two sides showed itself fully.
Madrid haven’t had the smoothest of seasons – they were
trailing both city rivals Atletico and Barcelona during September – but since
losing El Clasico in late October they haven’t been beaten and they have just
one draw to their name since mid December. Their Champions League group
admittedly wasn’t a strong one, but there’s not much fault to be found in their
away form this season and the 3-0 win of Premier League leaders Chelsea
suggests that Madrid should feel confident of being able to justify an opening
price of what looks to be a slightly generous 8/13.
The Germans had a near perfect record excluding two defeats
to Chelsea and have a strong recent run of form since losing 2-1 at Borussia
Mochengladbach in early December but were torn apart by Bayern Munich and
Borussia Dortmund who won 4-0 and 3-1 respectively. Those two teams have the
level of attacking talent, pace and skill that Madrid possess with the likes of
Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale and Di Maria making a deadly foursome going forward and
Ancelotti’s side can come away with a handsome victory tonight and all but put
their place in the quarter finals.
Advice
3 pts Madrid -1 (7/5 general)
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