Andy's Wednesday tips - Back Real Madrid
Lyon have been Real Madrid's bogey team for a few years now and, as we all remember, knocked them out last year.
That said, this is a better Real side than we've seen in recent years in terms of discipline and balance. Gone are the days when two strikers and three attacking midfielders didn't track back and Claude Makelele was left to hold the fort by himself in the middle of the park.
Then of course there's Jose Mourinho, whose record in this competition is nothing short of outstanding. He'll have watched plenty of Lyon since his side were drawn against the French club and will have a good idea of how to go at them.
This may prove to be one of the most entertaining matches of the week. Mourinho has a reputation as a rather defensive coach but that's harsh.
He's pragmatic, yes, but Real have scored a lot of goals this season and even though his forwards track back and work hard, his full backs go forward and support the attack whenever they can, meaning Real matches can actually be pretty open affairs.
With that in mind, I think there will be over 3.5 goals in this game and I'd be pretty surprised if it wasn't the men in white getting most of them.
Recommended bets:
Back Real Madrid to win at [1.4]
Back Real Madrid to win 3-1 at [14.0]
Back over 3.5 goals at [3.0]
Andy Gray is now on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.
Published: 16 Mar 2011
Horace Horlicks (March 16, 2011 3:43 PM) said:
Almost in agreement with Andy on this one. I predict a 3-0 with for Real.
Andy (March 16, 2011 4:21 PM) said:
What about Chelsea?