STAR PREVIEW: Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he first two Champions League Quarter Finals take place tonight with the Madrid derby on ITV and Juventus v Monaco on SKY.

Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid certainly looks the pick of them and is a repeat of last year’s final which Real Madrid won in injury time despite only being a couple of minutes away from defeat.

Since that clash though it’s been a ‘real’ case of role reversal as Real Madrid have failed to beat Atletico in six consecutive head to heads.

There’s little to choose between the two teams in the Star Sports odds for this game but I favour Atletico with home advantage to maintain their current superior form over their neighbours.

Clearly, Gareth Bale will be a massive factor in the game and Real manager manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted his £85 million man is “100% fit” despite Bale missing Saturday’s domestic game against Eibar. Real have no other injury concerns and Ancelotti has the luxury of a full strength side to choose from.

Atletico will be boosted by the expected return of striker Mario Mandzukic after his ankle problem whilst Raul Garcia is also expected to return after an elbow injury.

Ancelotti insists that neither side start as favourites and said: “We have a 50% chance.”

I disagree. I think Atletico SHOULD be the favourites based on recent form and will be backing them accordingly.

Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid
Champions League Quarter Final First Leg
7.45pm LIVE ITV

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Feb 2015 Spanish Primera Liga Atl Madrid 4-0 Real Madrid
Jan 2015 Copa del Rey Real Madrid 2-2 Atl Madrid
Jan 2015 Copa del Rey Atl Madrid 2-0 Real Madrid
Sep 2014 Spanish Primera Liga Real Madrid 1-2 Atl Madrid
Aug 2014 Spanish Super Cup Atl Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
Aug 2014 Spanish Super Cup Real Madrid 1-1 Atl Madrid
May 2014 Champions League Real Madrid 4-1 Atl Madrid
Mar 2014 Spanish 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

Keeping it straight forward with a win bet on Atletico with Star Sports at around 7/4.

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-50 points)

BACK ATLETICO for 8 points at around 7/4 with Star Sports

RETURN SINCE START OF WORLD CUP: PROFIT 82.31 POINTS

What’s your view? CALL STAR SPORTS 08000 521 321