Bet of the day: Thursday’s ace
Atletico Madrid look a banker
Two games go ahead in La Liga on Thursday evening, both shown live on Sky Sports, and our bet of the day lines-up at Estadio Raizor where we expect visitors Atletico Madrid to have a positive impact on our bank balance.
Los Colchoneros have struggled to live up to the success of last season so far, when finishing an unlucky third, but they are not far off the pace and go into round 25 of their season in fourth, looking to close the gap on the medal positions.
Diego Simeone’s side shouldn’t put too much pressure on the title this term however, and have seven points to find just to match up with an impressive Sevilla in third, and 10 to go level with Real Madrid in pole.
A 2-1 loss to Barcelona last time out didn’t exactly help their cause, with goals from Rafinha and Messi bettering Godin’s 70th-minute response. It could have been worse too, had Suarez not had a goal chopped off earlier in proceedings, but there’s little shame in losing to a late Messi winner, and Atletico will take plenty of heart from that performance, as well as the bulk of their recent form.
Defence the best form of attack
The loss to Barca was, in fact, their first reverse in league duty this year, with their stats following the winter break now reading five wins, two draws and that spare loss. During that purple patch, Madrid have beaten Eibar, Real Betis and Leganes, all without conceding a goal. They also beat Deportivo earlier this season, in the reverse of this fixture, 1-0. Chelsea and Manchester United target Griezmann grabbed the winner that day.
A closer look at the head-to-head shows that seven of the last 10 meetings between Atletico and Deportivo has given us a red and whites win to nil. 2009 was the last time Deportivo beat Thursday’s opponents, a run of 10 games, and that is certainly worth keeping onside.
Coral have Atletico Madrid priced for the win at 7/10, which makes them strong favourites, but if you are after a touch more, follow us in on that win to nil, and our traders will give you 31/20. If you need any more convincing, Deportivo have lost their last four league games, their last two without finding the net.
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