3rd May 2011 | Football
Barcelona v Real Madrid Tip: Total Cards
After last week’s shenanigans, all the focus will be on the players. Expect them to be on their best behaviour.
The beautiful game was an unedifying spectacle in the first leg. Bickering, play-acting and general childishness marred what should have been a great match. The four versions of ‘El Clasico’ this season have yielded an average of 8.75 cards per game, excluding extra time in the Copa Del Rey final. The bookmakers are expecting more of the same, with Bet365 putting the spread at 6.5 cards being shown. I think this is the time to go against the crowd.
In each of the previous games the teams have started level. With something to protect Jose Mourinho’s tactics were to disrupt Barcelona with aggression, hence all the cards. With a two goal deficit to overturn, Real Madrid cannot be so negative in their approach. They will have to play their own expansive game if they are to qualify.
This creates a different dynamic to the contest. After the fall out from the bad tempered first leg both sides will be looking to restore their reputations. In what is likely to be a more open game, the niggly tackles won’t be so prevalent.
Take the 10/11 on sanity being restored and the referee brandishing fewer than 6.5 cards.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 11:34 3rd May, 2011 but subject to change
