BETDAQ’s Greg Walker is back with an in-depth preview of tonight’s Champions League clash between Man U and Real Madrid. Greg was in the money on Sunday when he successfully opposed Real Sociedad at odds-on.
Greg is now 16.91 points in front with 16 WINNING BETS FROM 28 !!
Greg is BETDAQ’s spokesperson and has plenty to say on the subject of football. Each week he brings his recommended BETDAQ bets across a range of matches but with focus on his area of expertise – European and International football.
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He now previews Man U v Real Madrid…..
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW
Manchester United v Real Madrid
Live on ITV 19.45
History Lesson….
Jose Mourhino has described tonight’s football game between Manchester United and Real Madrid as the one that the world will stop to watch, and he is right (well almost, my wife will be in another room watching Coronation Street). This really has the makings of a classic and lets hope it is played out as such. I had the pleasure of being in the stands at Old Trafford in 2003 to witness one of the best games ever when Ronaldo (the chunkier one) scored a hat trick & Beckham scored twice in United’s thrilling four three victory. Three years previous United hosted Madrid again however this time the Spanish club came out on top by the odd goal in five. Incredibly one player from each of tonight’s squads played in both those games, Iker Casillas the Spanish cat who through injury cannot play and Ryan Giggs ironically through injury to Phil Jones is now in with a serious chance of starting this game. One man who was also involved heavily in both those games and will probably be involved in their next five meetings! is Sir Alex Ferguson and if ever his experience and expertise were needed by a Manchester United team it is tonight as they will need all the help they can get to overcome what his managerial adversary is moulding in to an exceptionally high quality team.
Jose & the Roses….!
This season both of these teams have had contrasting fortunes in their respective leagues. Man United are running away with their domestic league whilst Real Madrid have struggled in theirs and it seems a case of too little too late in their quest to catch Barcelona. It has been a rollercoaster ride for Mourhino in particular, having dropped Madrid’s favourite son Iker Casillas earlier in the season which had the Bernabeau faithful turn on him and booing when his name was announced on the stadium PA and baying for the Portuguese boss to walk. Los Blanco’s fans could handle losing to Seville, Malaga and even lowly Granada but dropping their all time favourite player was over stepping the mark, even by Mourhino’s standards. The upshot of all this? Well yes, You guessed correct, Mourhino comes out smelling of roses! Since that defeat to Granada Los Blanco’s have played five resulting in a draw against Man United, probably a game they deserved to win, and four victories including beating Barcelona home and away. The Copa del Rey victory at Camp Nou is looking like the catalyst for an upturn in fortunes for the Madrid club and now a Copa del Rey/Champion’s League double is beginning to look like a serious possibility.
The man of the moment in world football is unquestionably Ronaldo (the fitter one) and any footballer who can put Lionel Messi in the shade is obviously at the peak of his game. Outside of his natural football ability Ronaldo posses the attribute for which all truly great players have and that is putting in his best performances for the biggest games. The Portuguese star has been known to throw the toys out of the pram in games of lesser meaning but when it comes to the big ones he seems to relish the challenge and steps up his performances accordingly. There is another player of equal if not more importance in this team who does not get, nor wants, the attention afforded to Ronaldo and that is Xabi Alonso. Liverpool in not doing enough to keep this midfield maestro must surly go down as the worst football decision the club has ever made. In Angel di Maria ‘Real’ have another offensive rocket who is finally finding the form that is appropriate to his €25 million price tag. Throw in the disliked (not by me!) but underrated Pepe to ruffle the old Trafford feathers, Sergio Ramos, the defender who doubles as a dangerous target man in set pieces and German busy bee Mesut Ozil and we can understand why the whites have been very positive on the Betdaq market all week and are strong favourites to win this match.
A Decent Side….
Sir Alex has seen it all before however will not be the calmest man in Manchester tonight(contrary to what TV commentators will tell us). They are running away with the league and the treble is still on. They scored at the Bernabeau and came away with a very positive one all draw. It has been proven over the years that Sir Alex can do wonders with a decent side and this is exactly what he has at his disposal, a decent side. Many times this season they have fell over the line and just won games against teams they would have been expected to brush aside. One goal victories over the likes of West Ham, Southampton (twice), Fulham, Arsenal and Aston Villa. In the Champion’s League at Old Trafford they somehow beat Galatasary, had to come from two goals down to defeat Braga and lost at home to CFR Cluj. Robin Van Persie is an outstanding striker with twenty five goals this season however is blowing cold at the wrong time. Wayne Rooney if media reports are to be believed may not even start (I say he will!) but is in good form. Danny Wellbeck is also a possible starter and this time may have to face Pepe, an experience he will not enjoy. Madrid born United keeper David de Gea was incredible at the Bernabeu but Mourhino knows that this is still a possible weakness (as does Ferguson) and he will have free kicks and crosses whipped into the United box at every opportunity. At the back Vidic and Evra are exceptional defenders but Ferdinand or Evans will find it tough tonight. Another media rumour is that Rafael may be asked to do a marking job on Ronaldo, a task that I wish him well with.
Squeaky Bum Time….
To sum, this is going to be a cracking game. Often high end games turn out to be a let down but with the tie set at one all from the first leg then I do believe that this will be a cracker. Sir Alex has a decision to make, go for it from the start and leave themselves open to what is currently the best counter attacking side in the world or sit deep and let Madrid have possession for long periods therefore keeping Ronaldo and co. In front of them which they feel may be the easier route to a clean sheet. Sir Alex may have the upper hand starting the game with the away goal but Mourhino has the upper hand in tactics because which ever option Sir Alex deploys the Portuguese coach will be happy to accommodate.
Betting on BETDAQ: Greg’s Tips.
BACK TWO POINTS –REAL MADRID @ 2.38
PROFIT TO DATE: 16.91 points
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