Spanish La Liga
2008-04-27 - Real Madrid vs Athletico Bilbao
A Sports Betting Pick by El Toro
Real Madrid Could Clinch Title at Bernabeu on Sunday Night
After last weekend’s results, the market on Real Madrid retaining the La Liga title is virtually closed. With a ten point lead, and only five games remaining Los Blancos are no better than 1.02 to win the Primera.
If results go their way, they could seal the championship as soon as this weekend, with victory at home to Athletic Bilbao, a massive motivation for Bernd Schuster’s side.
With Real Madrid boasting a ten point lead at the top of La Liga, there should be a buoyant atmosphere at the Bernabeu on Sunday night Athletic Bilbao; but if both Villarreal and Barcelona fail to win beforehand, there will be a frenzy of expectation.
In that scenario Real Madrid need only win to secure a second successive La Liga title, reducing May’s El Classico to an exhibition match.
Though Madrid’s motivation is obvious, Bilbao have their own agenda. Currently in 10th place, they are one of nine clubs with realistic hopes of squeezing into a UEFA Cup place.
The Lions are finishing the season well, losing just one of their last eight fixtures, including a 5-1 demolition of Valencia last weekend, though in mitigation Los Che were probably suffering a hangover from winning the Copa Del Rey on April 16th.
Aside from their European aspirations the Basque-only side are exceptionally proud and would no doubt take great pleasure from spoiling the Galacticos’ party.
The omens are not good for the visitors however, as Los Merengues have won the five of the last six encounters here.
THE vERDICT
The Galacticos are almost always 1-2 goal favourites when playing at home, and a 14-0-2 record with a +26 goal difference at the Bernabeu shows that this is not unjustified
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Real Madrid 3-1 Bilbao
