AUTHOR: Star Sports Content

15 million squid, Heineken, Wally with Brolly, horse placenta – just a standard Saturday

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s a superb day of sport – on paper at least.

There’s sometimes a sense of a reality not proving as exciting as big matches look on paper. Just witness the Europa League Final a week ago m’lud.

But there’s plenty up for grabs and I’m not just talking about the Β£15 MILLION pot for the Scoop 6. Surely that WILL get won today. And if it is by a syndicate I doubt they’ll get back even close to what they’ve already pumped into it, chasing week after week, especially if there are some fairly ‘sensible’ winners for a change on the selected Saturday minefields, sorry races.

Derby and QPR contest the ‘richest game in football’ at Wembley for a place in the Premier League. I’ve been most impressed with Derby both in the regulation season and also in the play offs.

WEATHER WARNING FOR STEVE McCLAREN: Rain is forecast at Wembley. No more repeats of the wally with the brolly please. Thanks in advance.

I’m having a small bet on Derby – but my biggest worry is whether they can get the job done inside 90 minutes as it may be destined to go the full distance.

And later tonight we have the treat of the Champions League Final. An all-Madrid final – in Lisbon (7.45pm, ITV and SKY SPORTS).

The Estadio da Luz Stadium plays host to what (on paper at least !!) should be a cracker.

It’s the fifth meeting between the two sides this season which so far has seen Real win two, lose one and draw the other game.

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Mar 2014 Primera Liga Atl Madrid 2-2 Real Madrid
Feb 2014 Copa del Rey Atl Madrid 0-2 Real Madrid
Feb 2014 Copa del Rey Real Madrid 3-0 Atl Madrid
Sep 2013 Primera Liga Real Madrid 0-1 Atl Madrid
May 2013 Copa del Rey Real Madrid 1-2 Atl Madrid
Apr 2013 Primera Liga Atl Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid
Dec 2012 Primera Liga Real Madrid 2-0 Atl Madrid
Apr 2012 Primera Liga Atl Madrid 1-4 Real Madrid
Nov 2011 Primera Liga Real Madrid 4-1 Atl Madrid
Mar 2011 Primera Liga Atl Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid

Atletico will be boosted by the likely return of striker Diego Costa (36 goals this season) who was considered a major doubt after tearing a hamstring during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Barcelona – the result which won Atletico the Spanish title.

Costa has been treated in Belgrade using horse placenta for his injury. Must pop into Boots for a dose of that myself next time the leg gives me jip.

Real are going for their 10th European Cup and Atletico their first but on current form the odds are a little insulting to Atletico who don’t forget clinched the La Liga title after a dramatic draw with Barcelona last weekend.

Atletico have only won just one of their last 30 games against Real Madrid inside 90 minutes which is a daunting stat but they can do enough to hold Real to a draw inside 90 minutes.

RECOMMENDED BET (scale of 1-10 points)

10 points DRAW at around 12/5 with Star Sports

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