REAL Madrid have the opportunity to stride four points clear at the top of La Liga. Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) eyes up the best value bets.
Real Madrid v Sevilla | Wednesday 19.45 | Sky Sports 1
Cristiano Ronaldo was suspended on Saturday and Real Madrid fell behind to David Moyes’ Real Sociedad within the first minute. But Los Blancos showed that CR7 wasn’t required as Karim Benzema took the leading role for the capital club as they sauntered to an impressive 4-1 victory.
It was their best display since the winter break with some pundits even suggesting the European champions are a better side without the Ballon d’Or winner. The margin of victory against Sociedad could easily have been bigger and Real’s rampant form at the Bernabéu shows no sign of abating.
The table-toppers face fourth-placed Sevilla on Wednesday night before a trip to defending champions and city rivals Atletico at the weekend. Boss Carlo Ancelotti is under no illusions about how important these two fixtures are for his side and so you can expect a confident and focussed Madrid side in midweek.
The bet looks to be to follow the goals. Real Madrid-Sevilla is traditionally a high-scoring affair with their 33 showdowns since the turn of the millennium producing whopping 129 goals. That’s a whopping 3.91 goals-per-game average and with Ladbrokes offering even-money on Over 3.5 Goals, I’ll bite their hand off, thanks!
Los Blancos have scored at least three goals in their last seven home La Liga matches, netting at least twice in 11 of their last 12 when entertaining Sevilla. Real’s league games this term are averaging 4.25 goals-per-game with 10 of their 15 outings in all competitions at the Bernabéu this campaign producing Over 3.5 Goals winners.
There’s no doubting Sevilla are a much more disciplined unit under Unai Emery’s charge but it’s worth noting that their last two road trips have both ended in 3-1 defeats (to Espanyol and Valencia) but they have managed to score in six of their previous seven against Wednesday’s opponents.
Sadly for Sevilla fans, they’ve shipped 12 goals in trips to Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona this season whilst last year’s trip to Real ended in a 7-3 reverse for the Andalusians. In fact, take their five away games in league action against the Big-2 under Emery and they’ve lost 5/5 with an aggregate score of 8-21!
Best Bets
Real Madrid v Sevilla – Over 3.5 Goals (1/1 Ladbrokes)
Real Madrid 3/1 To Beat Sevilla
We all know Madrid are going to win, right? Well if you haven’t already got a Betfair account you’re entitled to 3/1 on a Los Blancos win for Wednesday night!
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Real Madrid 3/1 to beat Sevilla available to new Betfair customers here!
