Athletic Bilbao are 7.2 to end Barcelona’s treble bid tonight

Bilbao/Barcelona, Copa del Rey Final, 9pm, Free Bets, Best Odds

There couldn’t be a more fitting final - the two most successful teams in the competition’s history vying to become the first to win it 25 times (if you count 1902 as a Bilbao triumph). King Juan Carlos might not be looking forward to it quite as enthusiastically though given the prospect of thousands of Catalan and Basque fans jeering both him and the Spanish national anthem.

Barcelona are missing Rafael Marquez, Eric Abidal, Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry and are struggling with fatigue ahead of their 12th match in 40 days. Here’s why Athletic Bilbao are worth backing at 7.2 with Betfair:

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» Bilbao are hitting form at the right time having won three and drawn one of their last five, killing off any danger of a relegation battle.

» They also have a massive fitness advantage having played four games less than Barcelona since the start of April.

Posted: May 13th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Real Madrid are still 4.3 to win La Liga on Betfair

Here are five reasons why Juande Ramos’ side will pip Barcelona

In the space of just three weeks Barcelona’s twelve point advantage at the top of La Liga has cut down to just four. Despite that, Betfair are still offering 4.3 on Real Madrid winning the title. Here are five reasons why you should back them now before it’s too late:

1. Real Madrid have won ten consecutive games since losing to two goals in the last seven minutes away to Barcelona is Ramos’ first game.

2. Barcelona have dropped more points in their last three matches (eight) than they had done throughout the first 22 games of the season (seven).

3. Los Blancos have taken more points than Barcelona from the final thirteen matches of three of the last four seasons. Two years ago the Catalan club were five points clear at this stage but squandered their advantage.

Posted: March 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 2 Comments

Real Madrid look to make it ten in a row against Liverpool

Real Madrid/Liverpool, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 2, Offers, Best Odds

Juande Ramos took just two points from his last nine league matches as Tottenham manager but over at Real Madrid he has won each of his last nine. The Spaniard will be hoping to stretch his winning streak to double figures against Liverpool but the Reds are unbeaten in seventeen Champions League games (in 90 minutes). Here’s everything you need to know about this match:

EARLY KNOCKOUTS
Juventus, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Roma. Those are the four sides responsible for the fact that Real Madrid, the the most successful team in the competition’s history, haven’t cleared this hurdle since 2004. Ramos’ La Liga performance might be enough to rebuild his reputation after being sacked by Tottenham but in order to earn a second season at the Bernabeu, he will probably need to come closer to ending the second-longest Champions League drought in Real Madrid’s history than his predecessor managed.

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

Posted: February 24th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Mallorca are 14/1 with Bet365 to repeat their May heroics

Barcelona/Mallorca, 8.30pm, Sky Sports 3, Free Bets, Best Odds

Real Mallorca travel to Barcelona for tonight’s Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg hoping to relive their win there last May, when they came back from 2-0 down to become the only side besides Real Madrid and Villarreal to win a league match at the Nou Camp in the last three years.

Bet365 offer 14/1 on the visitors being victorious again but Barcelona haven’t lost a domestic home game since that day, with the Catalan club winning twelve and drawing just two this season. Just last month they overcame Mallorca, who are currently embroiled in a relegation battle and have won just one away game all season, 3-1.

Like Barcelona, Mallorca are unbeaten in this year’s competition which may make the 7/2 available at Paddy Power on them not losing (double chance) appetising. It is also worth noting that while Pep Guardiola’s side are the most successful in the competition’s history, they haven’t reached the final in eleven years and have lost out at this stage in the last two. Bet365 go 15/2 on Mallorca triumphing over two legs.

Posted: February 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment