The Champions League semifinals resume this week with the 2nd legs and with Real Madrid looking to secure their first-leg victory 3-0 against Atletico Madrid and book their tickets for the finals in Cardiff. They will put their best effort to play their third final in the last four seasons winning the trophy in 2014 and 2016 both times against their city rivals Atletico Madrid. Zinedine Zidane has rested some of his key players (Ronaldo, Benzema, Marcelo, Modric, Isco, Kross) but as expected they destroyed Granada (4-0) with 2 goals from James Rodrigues and Alvaro Morata. Real Madrid are now three steps away from winning the title in the Spanish La Liga. They have the chance to be the only team to defend their Champions League title as no team has won two consecutive finals.
This is Atletico’s 3rd European Cup semi-final in the last four years being unbeaten in their home legs, keeping a clean sheet in all three of them. Atletico’ “park the bus” style is not an option anymore in this 2nd leg. They need to start strong and score fast in the match if they want to have any chance on going further. They need to score four goals and keep a clean sheet which is clearly impossible given the fact that Real Madrid have scored in their last 60 matches in all competitions. Furthermore, Real Madrid have one of the best records in the European top 5 leagues when they are playing away from home.
Los Colchoneros are coming after a really difficult match against Eibar last round (1-0). Their 3rd place in the Spanish La Liga is looking safe right now as they are 5 points clear of 4th place Sevilla with 2 rounds to go till the end of the season. Diego Simeone claims that nothing is impossible and that his side can overcome the result from the 1st leg. But for us one thing is certain – Real Madrid are in the final. Los Blancos will be without the services of Pepe, Carvajal, and Bale, all three of them injured. Atletico’s Juanfran and Gimenez are back from their injuries. Sunday’s training session saw them preparing with the team and they are expected to be fully fit and start the 2nd leg clash against Los Blancos.
Let’s concentrate and find the best value bet of this clash. Atletico are priced at 2.75 with the green listed bookmaker Bet365 and for an away win the bookies are offering huge odds at 2.7. We expect an intense match between these two great teams, with Atletico trying to push from the beginning and Real Madrid scoring on the break.
Best picks for the match:
Real Madrid to win the match at 2.7 with Betfair
Over 2.5 goals in the match at 1.75 with Bet365
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