La Liga Betting: Real Madrid v Deportivo

Spanish Football / Dan Fitch / 24 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

Dan "The Betting Man" Fitch on a change of President at the Bernabeu, the superb form of Arjen Robben and everything you need to know about Deportivo's visit to face in-form Real Madrid.

I don't know if you saw anything about it on the news, but a deeply unpopular and controversial president's tenure has mercifully just come to an end. His departure has sparked a change in mood. The people sense that brighter times are just around the corner.

Yes, Ramon Calderon quit his position last week, as the president of Real Madrid. You may also have noticed that George W. Bush got the heave-ho from the White House the other day. If Bush has any sense (and all the evidence points to this not being the case) then he will look closely at the PR techniques of the departing Madrid president.

Because a story is currently doing the rounds, that just before Calderon left his post, he was deep in negotiations to sign not just Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, but also Sergio Arguero from arch rivals Atletico Madrid. Apparently both were virtually done deals, but now that Calderon has left, both transfers are dead in the water.

Perhaps Bush could spin a similar line: "Yeah, that Guantanamo closure, it was my idea... Had the papers drawn up and everything, all that Obama did was pick 'em up and scrawl his name on the dotted line".

Luckily, people tend to be remembered for what they actually achieved, rather than what they claimed that they were going to do. By the way Ramon, those anonymous phone calls you keep getting, where all you can hear is someone with a Scottish accent laughing down the line... it's a Manchester based number.

Real Madrid shrugged off the disappointment of Calderon leaving, to beat Osasuna 3-1. This week they play host to Deportivo and will be looking for another win, while clinging into the vain hope that Barcelona will suffer a collapse in form.

Madrid rode their luck to beat Osasuna, who took the lead before being pegged back and were denied a couple of clear penalties. They were saved once again by the in-form Arjen Robben, who created the second goal, before scoring the third.

Robben has now scored in each of his last 3 games. Juande Ramos has identified the Dutchman as being key to Real's hopes of success and Robben has played the pivotal role since the former Spurs boss took charge. Since the opening defeat of his tenure against Barcelona, Real have won 4 successive games under Ramos.

When the first goalscorer market open on Betfair, closer to kick off, Robben will be priced at around [8.0] to open the scoring, with Raul [6.0] and Higuain around [7.0]. Klass-Jan Huntelaar will be around [6.0], but is likely to start on the bench. For Deportivo, Bodipo will be priced around the [13.0] mark.

Deportivo showed little signs of scoring against Barcelona last weekend. As ever, Barcelona were quite breathtaking at times, but Deportivo showed a lack of hunger. They will fancy their chances more against Real and hopefully this will translate into a more ambitious performance.

Fabio Cannavaro is a doubt for Sunday, having missed the early training sessions of the week through injury. Otherwise, Ramos is likely to field an unchanged side from the one that triumphed over Osasuna. For Deportivo, Andrés Guardado, Laure, Mista and Pablo Amo are all out through injury. Goalkeeper, Daniel Aranzubia is suspended after being sent off last week.

Deportivo have an excellent record against Real Madrid, but only at home. They haven't lost at the Riazor against Real in the past 18 years, but at the Bernabeu, Real have won 7 out of the last 8 encounters.

The last 3 of these wins for Real, have broken the 2.5 goals barrier and with the last 6 games that Deportivo have played, produced 3 or more goals. Over 2.5 goals can be backed at [1.65], with unders at [2.48].

Real Madrid are the [1.42] favourites, with the draw at [5.0] and Deportivo at [9.4]. Deportivo have lost their last 4 games, with 3 of these defeats being dished out by Sevilla and Barcelona thrashing them last week. I expect their poor run of form against La Liga's elite to continue and Real's winning ways under Ramos, to do likewise.

A 1-0 Real win is [9.4], with 2-0 at [8.6] and 2-1 at [9.4]. Real Madrid are priced at [2.1] to be winning at half time/full time and are [2.3] to keep a clean sheet. Deportivo are the favourites in the bookings match bet at [1.72], with the tie at [5.3] and Real Madrid at [2.8].