S.P.Read Esq: Juventus v Real Madrid
Our daily columnist and pundit S.P. Read Esq. looks ahead to the Champions League game tonight (7.45pm ITV) between JUVENTUS v REAL MADRID and finds the best opportunities available on Star Spreads, the home of sports spread betting.
The early money so far this morning has been in one direction – Juventus – ahead of their first leg semi-final against Real Madrid.
These two footballing heavyweights have plenty of head to head history with the home side generally coming out best at the Juventus Stadium.
Juventus are now unbeaten in their last 12 home games and the question, for me, is whether they can do enough tonight to gain an advantage against the defending champions.
There’s mixed news on the Real Madrid team news front. They will be without France striker Karim Benzema who has scored 22 goals this term but has failed to recover from a knee injury.
Better news though on Gareth Bale who is set to start following his recent calf injury.
Understandably, both coaches are highlighting what a tough fixture this is likely to be.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said: “It’s a semi-final, they are champions of Europe so compared with us they could have a slightly better chance; but it’s not a semi-final where you can say we’ve got nothing to lose – we can lose the chance of being in the final. We’ve got to remember what we’ve done so far, that we have a chance, while not forgetting that we’re up against very strong opponents.”
Carlo Ancelotti coach of Real Madrid said: “It’s going to be an even game. We had a lot of possession against Atlético [in the quarters] but like us, Juve are a side who like a lot of possession. The most important thing is to play the best we can and show our quality. We want to attack and we’re preparing to play an attacking game, but we’re going to have to defend really well too.”
Juventus v Real Madrid
UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg
7.45pm ITV
HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Nov 2013 Champions League Juventus 2-2 Real Madrid
Oct 2013 Champions League Real Madrid 2-1 Juventus
Nov 2008 Champions League Real Madrid 0-2 Juventus
Oct 2008 Champions League Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid
Mar 2005 Champions League Juventus 2-0 Real Madrid
Feb 2005 Champions League Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus
May 2003 Champions League Juventus 3-1 Real Madrid
May 2003 Champions League Real Madrid 2-1 Juventus
May 1998 Champions League Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus
Mar 1996 Champions League Juventus 2-0 Real Madrid
No luck with the buy of bookings last night on v Arsenal (make up just 20) but I’m repeating the bet here. English ref Martin Atkinson is in charge and he averages 41 points a game this season so it’s not unreasonable to expect a shade more in such a tight and tense game.
CLICK FOR JUVENTUS v REAL MADRID MARKETS ON STAR SPREADS
RECOMMENDED BETS (scale 1-100 points)
BUY BOOKINGS for 30 points at 47 with Star Spreads
- Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
- Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.
