Champions League
2008-12-09 - Olympique Marseille vs Atletico Madrid
A Sports Betting Pick by Shady
Marseille will face Atletico Madrid in Matchday 6 of the UEFA Champions league.Atletico Madrid (1st 3-2-0 9:4)
Madrid has already qualify for the next round but a win here today in France would mean Madrid would qualify as Group leaders and will avoid tough opposition and have home advantage of the second leg in the next round.
Matchday 2 saw Madrid beat Marseille at the Vicente Calderon with a 2-1 score line. That win maintained the Spanish’s side strong record against French sides, losing only once out of the previous nine games.
To make matters more interesting, tensions will be running high at Stade Celodrome and the home fans will definitely be hostile towards visiting supporters and Madrid players after crowd problems in the first match.
With safety reason in mind, Spanish fans are advised not to travel for the game and this would be an advantage to the home side as the home fans might be the so called "12th Player".
Team News :
Javier Aguirre has vowed to top the group and this means that he would set out a strong squad. With no injury concerns for Aguirre, he will most likely set out his regular 4-4-2 formation.
Diego Forlan might be rested as Florent Sinama-Pongolle should partner red-hot Sergio Aguero up front. In midfield Ever Banega is expected to start alongside experience Maniche in the heart of midfield flanked by Maxi Rodriguez and Simao. Tomas Ujfalusi, Seitaridis, Peria and Heitinga should start in defense to protect Coupet.
Key players to watch out would definitely be Sergio Aguero. The red-hot Argentinean has been in good form scoring 3 goals in the Champions League so far.
Olympique Marseille (3rd - 1-0-4 5:7)
Marseille needs a positive result to make sure they qualify for UEFA Cup but coach Eric Gerets will have to face Madrid without top goal scorer Mamadou Niang who has been ruled out for at least a month.
With Cisse’s departure in the summer, Marseille was banking on Niang to deliver the goals alongside summer signing Hatam Ben Arfa.
With Niang missing this fixture I believe Eric Gerets side will find it difficult to score against Madrid and to make matters worse Marseille are fairly vulnerable at the back! .
Betting Statistic :
Under the asian handicap line this season, Marseille has lost 6 games out of 9 at home in the French League, while Madrid have won 3 and lost 3 on the road in the Spanish League.
I cannot understand how the bookmakers are setting the odds for this game as Marseille should NOT be giving half a ball start.
The Verdict
With Marseille finding it hard to score and Madrid on the receiving end of the handicap, my money would definitely be on Madrid not to lose the game.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Atletico Madrid not to lose the game.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Atletico Madrid with the +0.5 Headstart
