Champions League
2012-09-18 - Real Madrid vs Manchester City
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : Europe : Champions League
Tuesday 18th September - Kickoff 7:45pm
Real Madrid
Madrid have made an awful start to the season currently occupying 12th in La Liga. In their 4 games this season they have just 1 win but 2 defeats. At the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu this side will still be a huge force and I'll be shocked if we see a substandard Real display on Tuesday night.
In 2 home games this season, Real were held by Valencia (1-1) but did beat Grenada (3-0). So whilst the home form isn't too bad the away record is dreadful having lost at Getafe (2-1) and Sevilla (1-0). Real should be a force regardless of where they play so these 2 losses a real concern for their backer in this tough game against City.
In the Champions League it is 6 wins from 6 at home and a sensational 11 from 12. Only Barca in their prime have beaten/avoided defeat here going back to 2010.
Manchester City
Premiership Champions City have stumbled in their 2 away games this season but are nicely poised in the league occupying 4th place. After last season's "Group of Death" City have been drawn in this year's version and away to Real in game one is as hard as it gets.
Both City's wins haven't been dominating displays as Southampton (3-2) and QPR (3-1) are much lower levels of opposition. Away from home Liverpool out played them but fair play to City they scored twice and drew 2-2. At the weekend they visited their "bogey" ground the Britannia and drew 1-1 although the Stoke goal was a double hand ball somehow not spotted by the officials.
In last season's Champions League campaign City were dumped at the group stage. A major reason for this was because of their poor away form.
City were outclassed at Bayern in a 2-0 loss and then when at Napoli with qualification in sight they lost 2-1 to the Italians. To Mancini's credit City did win at Villareal 0-3 but the Spaniards were without a whole host of players in a injury ravaged season.
Betting Verdict
Real and City are both coming off poor results at the weekend which makes this a really interesting game.
I fancy Real to show their class and pedigree here eventually beating off a spirited City display. We saw Mancini's side crumble last season on the road but they look improved this year.
The Madrid price is a little short for me. If they win I think it will by a few goals and they must take the lead here. An early Real goal will do them wonders and I see them exploiting City as they come forward looking to equalise. If City get ahead then this looks really tough to call but I will side with the hosts here.
Madrid to win by 2 or 3 is how I'm going to approach this one. We saw how poor City were at Bayern last year and the likes of Ronaldo and co are expected to really step up in this one. At the odds on offer I'd rather take Real to win this well than to see them win at odds on.
Good Luck
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Real 3-1 City
BEST BETTING TIP :
Dutch:- Real Madrid win by 2 goals at 5.00 with Ladbrokes
- Real Madrid win by 3 goals at 9.00 with Ladbrokes
Net Price: 3.21
