Tension aplenty in Thursday's Madrid derby
Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid in the quarter finals of the Copa Del Rey on Thursday evening in aiming to get one over their local rivals.
The gap between the two teams seems to be opening up on the pitch, as we may be moving towards the end of Diego Simeone’s exceptional managerial reign with the Mattress Makers.
The Galacticos are ten points better off in La Liga, with a game in hand on Atleti, but on a one-game basis that quality difference may not be apparent, and if this is going to be Simeone’s final campaign, there will be an incentive to send him off with a trophy.
Background
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have a handful of injury issues to deal with, but still have the majority of their key players available.
Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Eden Hazard and Lucas Vazquez are unavailable for the hosts, and that may give Atleti greater belief that they can pull off an upset.
It is no surprise to see Real come in as odds on favourites, the price is probably bigger because of the potential that the match goes on beyond the 90 minutes.
Real Sociedad make the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu at the weekend, where Atleti travel to Osasuna, although the visitors have had an extra day to prepare for the fixture, with both clubs victorious in the league last time out.
Ten of the last 12 league head-to-heads have gone under 2.5 goals, and in the latter stages of a cup competition I see no reason to ignore a trend like that particularly with the schedule potentially harming the hosts’ attacking potency.
Goals?
I am happy to take an unders selection here as the Mattress Makers look to blunt Real’s forward line in aiming for progression.
Real have scored in every game this season, 28 of 28.
Real have conceded in seven of ten.
Real have seen both teams score in seven of ten.
Real have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
Atleti have scored in eight of ten.
Atleti have conceded in five of ten.
Atleti have seen both teams score in three of ten.
Atleti have seen over 2.5 goals in two of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
3-1 Real in extra time, but we'll take the winner on unders in 90 minutes.