DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA v REAL MADRID
Football : Spain : Primera
Saturday 26th February 2011

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Three league wins on the bounce now for Real Madrid, plus the obligatory score draw against Lyon in Europe in midweek, and Mourinho will be more than happy with life. But away form has been rocky of late, but Madrid have an awful record at La Coruna and after a tiring trip to Frances second city in midweek this may be a good time to oppose Los Merengues.

There was a schoolboy error for Mourinho in that draw at Lyon, obviously the Portuguese is no believer in the return to haunt former club goalscorer strategy, as he left Karim Benzema on the bench at the Gerland. This error was soon corrected as Benzema was brought from the bench to get the compulsory goal. If only he could play against French teams in the Spanish league every week, hed get the Pichichi every year.

But he doesnt, and against Spanish opposition his limitations are immediately obvious. And Adebayor is no replacement either, what hes done to earn a move to Madrid loan or otherwise is beyond me.

So there are undoubtedly question marks about this Madrid side and their reliance on Ronaldo.

And that record at Deportivo is abysmal. Last year Madrid won, the first time in 15 attempts, a run which includes 10 home wins for the Galicians. And for any team to have that sort of record against Real Madrid is incredible.

Now we know that Depor are a pale shadow of the side they were 5 years ago, as they pay the price for those years of success. And form is very ordinary. But they are strong at home, having only lost twice at the Riazor all season. And they do have a shock in them, they beat Villarreal at home last time out and have a recent win at Bilbao on this seasons CV. Depor are in relegation danger because they cant win the smaller games, too often failing to overcome teams of similar or less ability. But they have a big game in them, a result against Madrid whilst unlikely is not impossible.

It was unlikely that their keeper would score a last minute equaliser against Almeria last weekend, but he did.

And this may be a nice time to play Madrid. Los Merengues arent going to win the Primera, however much they pretend to be making a competition of it. Theyve had a trip to Lyon on their minds and legs this week, whilst Depor will have been preparing for their visit.

And Madrids away form has suddenly got ordinary. Yes they won at Espanyol, but Espanyol always roll over and let them tickle their tummies. Before that, a defeat at Osasuna and a draw at Almeria were all Madrid had to show for two away matches. Osasuna and Almeria!

Xisco and Manuel Pablo are likely to miss out for Depor, with Guardado and Saul expected to return. Khedira is a new injury for Madrid, who continue to miss Higuain and Dudek.

The Pick :

Deportivo 0 Real Madrid 0

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Deportivo 15% - Draw 25% - Real Madrid 60%

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Deportivo with a +1 goal start on the asian handicap at 2.28 (canbet)