Holders Sevilla to take fight to Real Madrid
It's Copa del Rey semi-final night in Spain this evening, with both first-leg matches live on TV. We've taken a look at the most tempting prices on both encounters...
Sevilla v Real Madrid (7pm, Sky Sports 3)
With Barcelona facing Almeria, Copa del Rey holders Sevilla are perhaps the only team capable of preventing Spain's big two from contesting the final, and while Jose Mourinho is eager to earn Real Madrid this trophy for the first time in 18 years, plenty points to the Rojiblancos as the best bet tonight at [3.95].
Gregorio Manzano's side have recovered from a rotten run with six wins in eight, the latter two convincing 3-0 and 4-1 successes over high-flying Villarreal and Levante. Additionally, Real Madrid have lost on five of their last six visits to the Andalusian club and were held for 76 minutes by them in the capital.
Sevilla took care of then-holders Barcelona at this stage in last year's competition to deny Pep Guardiola a piece of silverware for the first time since he succeeded Frank Rijkaard in 2008.
Real Madrid aren't at their best right now, netting just once in their last three fixtures, however if you disagree with our prediction, they can be backed at [2.02].
Barcelona v Almeria (9pm, Sky Sports 3)
Barcelona are shorter than Arsenal were against Ipswich on Tuesday at [1.08] but for the favourite layers and long-shot lovers out there, it's important that we present a case for backing Almeria, who lost 8-0 at home to the Spanish champions in November, at [40.0].
Almeria are in their best form of the campaign, unbeaten in four - beating Deportivo in both legs of their quarter-final, holding Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and finally recording a Liga win in front of their fans - while they have triumphed in three of their last five away games. Oh, and Barcelona faltered at the Camp Nou at this point last season. Not bad.
Of course, the argument in favour of Barcelona is even more compelling: 12 wins in 13 as hosts, with just five goals conceded in that run. They thumped Real Betis 5-0 in the first leg of their last-eight match and another victory to nil has to appeal at [1.77].
Got any predictions for either game? Tell us them in the box below...
Published: 26 Jan 2011
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