Real Madrid News

Our man in Madrid Phil Kitromilides believes the Liga champions will have their minds on the Champions League, meaning there will be few goals on Saturday night

Saturday night’s late offering in La Liga sees the champions host Sevilla in a match of minimal importance for Jose Mourinho’s men.

It is true of course that they will want to produce a much improved performance from last week’s dismal showing in their 1-0 defeat at Granada, but with the defence of their league title long given up, the focus of practically their whole season is now on the cup competitions, with Wednesday’s Champions League meeting against Manchester United surely more of a priority.

Nevertheless they do still have a long unbeaten record at home in the league to keep in tact and Coral price them at 4/11 (1.36) to record a win over the Anadalusians.

Sevilla, despite improving under new coach Unai Emery, still look a touch short at 13/2 (7.50) while the draw is offered at 4/1 (5.00).

Indeed Madrid’s aforementioned unbeaten record in the league at home is closing in on 14 months, and a Sevilla side who have failed to even score in each of their last three visits to the Bernabeu look unlikely to tarnish that run.

With Sevilla lacking a goal scoring touch at the Bernabeu and Madrid not exactly motivated for this fixture, a low-scoring encounter may well be on the cards.

The price of 73/100 (1.73) for under 3.5 goals therefore looks extremely generous, especially when considering it has paid out in 10 out of Sevilla’s last 11 games, and in five of Madrid’s last seven matches.

In fact this fixture has a history of few goals (apart from the two 6-2 wins for Madrid in Sevilla a couple of years ago) with less than 3.5 goals paying out in five of the last seven meetings. For a value bet back a goal-less first half at 4/1 (5.00) with Coral.

Sign up with Coral for a £50 free bet and back Phil’s selections for this match

Phil Kitromilides is a sports anchor working on TV in Madrid. You can also follow Phil on Twitter.

The Ghana midfielder has set his sights on success in Europe, while Jose Callejon is looking forward to the tie against Manchester United

Michael Essien has stressed that Real Madrid will do everything they can to win the Champions League this season ahead of their round of 16 tie against Manchester United.

The Santiago Bernabeu side have been struggling in La Liga throughout the 2012-13 campaign, but they are desperate for success in other competitions as they aim to go all the way in Europe.

“The Champions League is hugely significant. As a footballer you dream of winning it. We’ll give everything and see if we can win it,” Essien told EFE.

Jose Callejon, meanwhile, has admitted that United will prove to be a tough opponent, but is positive about his side’s chances.

“Manchester United are showing how strong they are in the Premier League, but we want to beat them and we’ll do everything possible to go through,” Callejon stated.

The first leg of the round of 16 tie is scheduled to take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on February 13.

Real Madrid defender Pepe has recovered from an ankle injury and has an outside chance of being involved in Saturday’s Primera Division encounter against Sevilla.

Raphael Varane (hamstring) and Xabi Alonso (groin) are both racing to be fit, while Mesut Ozil returns after serving a one-match ban.

Sevilla have appealed over Ivan Rakitic’s dismissal against Rayo Vallecano last weekend and will have the midfielder available if the Spanish Football Federation rules in their favour.

Diego Perotti, Piotr Trochowski and Cicinho are all out injured but captain Andres Palop (hamstring) is likely to return.

• The Castilian side’s 1-0 loss at Granada was their fifth Liga defeat of the season and the eighth reverse across all competitions.

• Madrid are on a 22-game unbeaten run in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu.

• Sevilla have won three of their last five matches in all competitions.

• Los Nervionenses have lost seven of their last eight meetings with Madrid.

• Jose Antonio Reyes (pictured, right) made 30 Liga appearances for Real in the 2006-07 season, scoring six goals.

The Celtic legend has nothing but praise for the Portuguese, but feels the four-time Ballon d’Or winner is an even better player

Former Barcelona star Henrik Larsson feels Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo is unfortunate to be playing in the same era as Lionel Messi.

Larsson has stressed that Ronaldo has a lot of quality as well, but believes he is no match for the Argentina internationa.

“I don’t think there’s too much difference between the two of them because they are both great players,” Larsson told Xarxa.

“Cristiano is unlucky to be playing at the same time as Messi. Ronaldo is a very good player, but Messi is even better.

“Messi has won the Ballon d’Or in the past few years, four years in a row to be more precise.

“He is from out of this world. He’s so good that it’s almost incredible. When you see him with the ball at his feet it’s hard to believe that anybody else could do the same. He’s a fantastic player to see.”

Messi has already netted 34 goals in 22 Liga appearances for Barcelona this term and signed a new contract at Camp Nou until 2018 on Thursday.

With the knockout stages of the Champions League around the corner, Jamie Dickenson has taken a look at the options available for a multiple on teams to qualify

The Champions League knockout rounds are fast approaching, and for many punters that means the opportunity to back some of Europe’s strongest sides to make the last eight of the competition.

Bet Victor are offering enhanced multiples on the continental elite’s big guns qualifying from the round of 16, with variations on Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus to qualify.

The bet that immediately stands out for value at 3/1 (4.0) is all five of those teams – favourites for their Champions League two-legged clashes – to progress.

There do tend to be surprises at this stage of the tournament though – last season Lyon fell to minnows APOEL and Inter Milan exited at the hands of Olympique de Marseille – but more often than not the strongest side goes through over home and away ties.

Looking at the sides most unlikely to fall at this hurdle, and it seems that Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona fall into that bracket.

Juve are leading Serie A and have a quite remarkable home record, having only recently seen a 49-game league unbeaten streak at Juventus stadium broken by Inter.

And while Celtic produced a victory over Barcelona at Celtic Park in the group stage, it looks a step too far to expect them to pull off another shock – even with key striker Gary Hooper still at the club.

Champions League clubs to progress
Odds from Bet Victor
Barca, Real, Bayern, Dortmund and Juventus	3/1
Barca, Real, Bayern, Dortmund and Juventus	5/2
Barca, Real, Bayern and Juventus	2/1
Barca, Bayern, Dortmund and Juventus	2/1
Barca, Bayern, Dortmund and Juventus	9/1
Real, Bayern, Dortmund and Juventus	5/2

Dortmund managed at draw at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid earlier in the competition, and will hope to set themselves up for victory back on home soil when they make the trip to Donetsk to face Shakhtar in the first leg.

While Jurgen Klopp’s side retained their best players in the January window – Robert Lewandowski, Mario Goetze and Mats Hummels – Shakhtar buckled under the late advances of Anzhi Makhachkala and sold pivotal playmaker Willian to the Russian side for almost €35 million.

Barcelona have a sterling recent record against AC Milan, remaining unbeaten in their last seven clashes between the two sides.

The Catalans also knocked out the Serie A side at the quarter-final stage last season.

Watching Lionel Messi and Mario Balotelli go head-to-head should be compelling viewing, but the Ballon d’Or winner and his club will be fancied to progress.

That leaves Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, who face English opposition in Manchester United and Arsenal.

The Gunners current form is patchy, and Bayern have been dominant in the Bundesliga this season and over two legs they look to be strong for Arsene Wenger’s side.

The one match-up to avoid looks to be Real and United.

Jose Mournho’s Madrid are trailing domestically, but despite having their eyes set on Champions League success the Red Devils are a more potent force this campaign with Robin Van Persie excelling and Wayne Rooney beginning to contribute.

Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford and Mourinho back in England may make this the tie of the round, but from a betting angle it seems too tight to include in a multiple.

For those reasons the best option here is backing Barcelona, Bayern, Dortmund and Juventus all to qualify at a quite respectable 7/4 (2.75) with Bet Victor.

Champions League Multiples in full

Barcelona – Real Madrid – Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund – Juventus – All To Qualify – 3/1 (4.0)
Barcelona – Real Madrid – Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund – All To Qualify – 5/2 (3.50)
Barcelona – Real Madrid – Bayern Munich – Juventus – All To Qualify – 2/1 (3.0)
Barcelona – Real Madrid – Borussia Dortmund – Juventus – All To Qualify – 2/1 (3.0)
Barcelona – Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund – Juventus – All To Qualify – 7/4 (2.75)
Real Madrid – Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund – Juventus – All To Qualify – 5/2 (3.50)

BetVictor will refund losing outright winner Champions League bets (up to £50 per person) if Real Madrid win the tournament

Jamie Dickenson is a 22-year-old freelance journalist who specialises in football, sports and betting.

More of his work can be found here – and you can also follow Jamie on

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