BETDAQ’s Greg Walker is back with an in-depth preview of tonight’s La Liga clash (8pm SKY) between Valencia v Real Madrid.
Greg is now 46.93 points in front with 27 WINNING BETS FROM 51 !!
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.
You can find out more about Greg by reading his profile – CLICK HERE
He now previews Valencia v Real Madrid…..
The sack race….
For people with no interest in the world of football the ‘sack race’ is the annual school sports day parents running in a bag race climaxing in a dive across the finishing line. In my humble opinion this would be a far more entertaining spectacle if a few miniature hurdles were thrown into the mix. Inside the world of football this is one race that no manager wants to win unless of course you are the manager of Spurs or Chelsea where you will receive a pay off the sum of which most of us can only fantasise. In recent weeks La Liga also took part in the sack race and first up was Pepe Mel manager of current bottom club Real Betis. Although bottom, many Betis fans felt this was harsh on Mel who was well liked by both fans and players and who has had a number of key players out injured. Football being a results business the Betis board lost their patience but I have no doubt Pepe Mel will be back soon. This week’s review involves another club with a sacked manager but on this sacking it seems Valencia players and fans are in agreement and Miroslav Djukic has departed Los Che. The writing was on the wall for a number of weeks but especially when the Serbian coach just last week received the infamous curse of the president’s backing!
Los Che v Los Blancos….
Valencia host Real Madrid at the Mestalla on Sunday night in the last round of matches before the winter break. Ex-Coach Djukic was under pressure for a number of weeks and it was no surprise that he was relieved of his duties. Sitting ninth in the table and having lost only three at home plus finishing clear top in their Europa league group table seems a fair return for the cash strapped south coast side. However it seems Djukic’s constant chopping and changing of tactics was getting to the players and dressing room confidence in him had been deteriorating rapidly. Youth team coach Nico Estevez enters the fray as interim coach and what a dream start he has at this level when Real Madrid come to town looking for maximum points after last week’s slip up away to Ossasuna.
Magical Jonas….
As mentioned Valencia cruised up in their Europa league group but a Champion’s League berth for next season is the priority now. Los Che began this season without the services of long term striker Soldado who departed to Tottenham and the loss of this excellent all round player was always going to be felt at a club of this size. The goal scoring duties were handed down to Colombian Dorlan Pabon and Portuguese veteran Helder Postiga however three goals apiece for this season is a poor return. They do have some defence for their lack of goals in that their ex-coach was constantly altering team formation from game to game particularly from midfield upwards leading to a fair degree of confusion on the pitch . One player who was, and is, guaranteed his place in every week is the brilliant Brazilian, Jonas. Some of the twenty nine year olds performances from midfield and central striker role this season have been magical and he will relish the challenge of going toe to toe with his more illustrious rivals this Sunday. Already on eight goals this season including a recent hat-trick against Ossasuna it is Jonas that Carlo Ancelotti will see as the most potent threat to his team securing three points on Sunday.
‘Rope a Dope!’….
Real Madrid need to win on Sunday. As highlighted in my column at the start of the season this is and will remain a three horse race. Barcelona are still top, not playing all that well but have a player that is potentially going to be the best player on the planet in the coming years, Neymar JR. The ‘Blaugrana’ also have Messi and of course goalkeeper Valdes to return in January. Atletico Madrid are just getting stronger and stronger. They rarely have a player injured and are financially healthy so can buy and strengthen the squad in the January transfer window. Atletico coach Simeone is a master tactician which was most recently proved in the three nil victory over Valencia. This was a performance similar to the old Mohammad Ali ‘rope a dope’ tactic and which Simeone’s players executed with absolute perfection. If you are stuck for an idea for a Christmas present the gift of a little double on Atletico Madrid to win La Liga and the Champion’s League may be more appreciated than a pair of socks, the recipient will certainly get more excitement from it!
Points needed….
Real Madrid’s dropped points away to Ossasuna last week was in a word, catastrophic. To their credit Los Blancos showed great character to claw back a two nil deficit with ten men and claim a point. Ossasuna is not an easy place to go and under the circumstances Madrid will have taken more positives than negatives from this result. Team captain (in the absence of Iker Casillas) Sergio Ramos will now play in this game after having a yellow card appealed successfully. Ramos is fantastic defender although is prone to the odd error and sometimes his challenges are a little to aggressive for some referees. Ancelotti and his team will be boosted by the fact that the Andalusia warrior is to start this vital fixture. There is a slight doubt about Gareth Bale again after being very ineffective in the Ossasuna match when substituted however if fit the Welshman will see plenty of the ball in the Mestalla.
Similarities….
Real Madrid need to win and I feel they will win. Valencia will go back to basics under Estevez and will not go down without a fight. Individual player pride will play a big part in the Valencia performance and that alone can cause Real Madrid problems. Valencia are quite similar to Real Madrid in that they hold possession very well and are very capable of scoring on the counter attack. This will be a very entertaining game and I expect plenty of chances at both ends. The major difference is the quality that Real Madrid posses in clinical finishers Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema and now Isco which Is what will secure Madrid the three points. If the home side score first the confidence will be boosted and this game could turn into a cricket score. If the visitors score first the confidence in the home side could drop like a pebble in the ocean and it could turn into goal scoring practice for Los Blancos. Either way I feel this game has goals written all over it…..Feliz Navidad!
Betting on BETDAQ – Greg’s Tips:
BACK OVER 4.5 GOALS —- 4 POINTS @ 3.8
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
