THERE'S more continental cup action from across Europe tonight. Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) highlights to bets worth taking note of in the DFB-Pokal and the Cope del Rey…
Cornella v Real Madrid | Wednesday 19.00 | Sky Sports 5
Cope del Rey holders Real Madrid begin their 2014/15 challenge with a trip to third-tier Cornella tonight and having reached the final in three of the past four seasons, you can expect Carlo Ancelotti’s charges to take the competition seriously.
Madrid have scored four or more goals just once in 28 away Cope del Rey ties in the past 10 years but having blasted 38 goals in their last nine outings, it would be a surprise if Los Blancos didn’t come away with a comfortable victory.
And that thought has been concreted over after seeing the XI Ancelotti has selected: Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Arbeloa; James, Khedira, Illarramendi, Isco; Chicharito, Benzema.
Having a look around, I found Paddy Power offering 13/8 on Real Madrid -3. It’s a handicap they’ve covered in wins against Basel, Deportivo, Elche, Athletic Bilbao and Levante already this campaign and could easily have against Liverpool and Barcelona too.
Yes, their intensity will drop but it’s hard to turn down an attractive price after seeing the side that will take the field in Barcelona. Cornella are eighth in Segunda B III and have already lost twice in five home league matches.
FC Magdeburg v Bayer Leverkusen | Wednesday 18.00
In the DFB-Pokal, Bayer Leverkusen travel to Regional League outfit FC Magdeburg for a second round tie tonight and there’s plenty of reason to get behind Bayer -2 (8/9 BetVictor) in the Asian Handicap market – here we’ll get our stake back should the visitors only win by two goals but receive a full payout if they run out winners by three or more goals.
It’s a real David and Goliath encounter at the MDCC Arena and the Werkself have a reputation for being ruthless against the minnows. In the past four season alone, Bayer have hit 11, four, six and six in trips to lower-league opponents, including their 6-0 thumping of Alemannia Waldalgesheim back in August.
Magdeburg demonstrated their ability to spring a surprise in the Cup with a sensational performance to knock top-flight Augsburg out of the competition in round one. But despite expected changes to the XI from Schmidt, the Bundesliga side should prove far too strong for the hosts who’ve lost four of their last five outings.
Best Bets
Cornella v Real Madrid – Real Madrid -3 (13/8 Paddy Power)
FC Magdeburg v Bayer Leverkusen – Bayer Leverkusen -2 AH (8/9 BetVictor)
