Real Madrid v CSKA Moscow: hosts set to smash the Russians
Published:Real Madrid head into their last 16 second-leg clash against CSKA Moscow holding a slender advantage by virtue of bagging an away goal in their 1-1 draw in Russia a fortnight ago.
Bayern Munich and Barcelona have both swept aside inferior Champions League opposition on home soil in the past week though and, with the way Real are banging in the goals at home, it would take a brave punter to back against the Spaniards…
Match odds
Real Madrid are unsurprisingly the big favourites to win this clash at 1/7 and it’s hard to see beyond a win for Jose Mourinho’s men.
They have won all three of their Champions League games at home this season and have lost just twice at the Bernabeu this term – both times against Barcelona.
However, CSKA Moscow did see off Inter Milan 1-0 on their last European away day and have lost just one of their previous seven Champions League away games.
They can be backed at a massive 16/1 to get the win but, if you’re feeling adventurous, a far more tempting bet may be to back the Russians to pick up a draw at 13/2.
Two of their last three Champions League away games have ended in draws and all of their last four matches have finished level.
Goal markets
Real Madrid have been smashing the goals in this season and the odds suggest CSKA Moscow could be in for an almighty hammering.
In their 19 home games this season, Real Madrid have only failed to score a minimum of three goals on two occasions – their defeats against Barcelona.
With Real hitting five in their last home match, backing over 4.5 goals at 7/4 could be worth consideration – especially as CSKA haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last four games.
If you want to play things a bit more conservatively though, then over 3.5 goals can be backed at 8/11.
Finally, with Lionel Messi bagging five last week, Mario Gomez hitting four last night then Cristiano Ronaldo may be worth backing at 7/2 to score a hat trick.
