European Football Tips: Get behind Real in the shots markets

I've mixed things up a bit for this weeks European tips. I have took a deep dive into the weekends two most enticing fixtures on the continent- the Madrid derby and PSG vs Lyon - and proposed my three favourite angles for each game.

The Alfedo Di Stefano Stadium plays host to one of the most appetising fixtures in La Liga's season as Real Madrid welcome Altetico Madrid on Saturday evening.  El Cholo's men currently rule the roost in Spain- six points clear of Real Madrid and two games in hand on the majority of the league- and the bookies have them around even money to be their come May.

We all know Simeone is a man obsessed with winning at all cost; “en la vida, hay que creer” being his motto (in life, you have to believe) and since he took over in Madrid these ethos have resonated with the Los Colchoneros faithful from within the Rosas neighbourhood, and reverberated right across the San-Canillejas district. In first his book, El Elfecto Simeone, he likens football to hunting; a tribal battle of pit and wit, a game often steeped in anticipation. He's trained his side to be patient and strike with clinical ferocity and in doing so transformed El Atleti from prey to the predator, creating a siege mentality and amassed a cult.

Atletico haven't lost in eleven games, keeping seven clean sheets and winning eight of those. Given the current league standings, I forecast their to be another Simeone-eque victory in the ascendency in Madrid tomorrow so would not want to put another backing them or opposing goals.

Our hosts are fresh off the back of a pragmatic victory over a lacklustre Monchengladbach side in the UCL midweek. Los Blancos 2-0 win ensured they progress to the next stage and in doing so evaded the Europa League. Zindane's men came through the game relatively unscathed, however, Carvajal will likely return at right back which could see Vazquez be pushed further up the pitch. 

Karim Benzema marked his record breaking 527th app for Real Madrid with two goals in the UCL, as he overtook Roberto Carlos as Real Madrid's all-time leading foreign appearance maker. He notched his goals tally up too 257 which also means the French striker is Los Blancos fifth highest all-time scorer.

Since moving to Spain you get the sense that Benzema has always being one of the entourage and never the main attraction but with Ronaldo and Bale both moving on he's stepped into the spotlight with gusto.

Coco has being in scintillating form as of late, with seven goals in his last seven games in all competitions. He's averaged 3.4 shots per game this season and it is his line of four- priced at evens with Betfair and Paddy Power- that has caught my eye. 

With Real Madrid trailing the race for the title by six points the onus will be very much on them to get a result here as the draw suits Atleti. Therefore, they will have to take the game to them and I expect Zidane's main man to lead this charge. In similar circumstances midweek, Benzema accumulated six shots, a feat Betfair price him at 7/1 at to replicate.

Another standout member of the La Casa Blanca side this season has been Lucas Vazquez. The La Fabrica graduate has featured heavily for Zidane both at right back and right wing and with Carvajal returning I expect him to play in the latter position on Saturday. If he does, Betfair's shot prices look very apostatising!

In his eight appearances at full back, Vazquez has averaged just 0.75 SpG and even that figure was pulled up significantly by the three shots he managed from RB midweek. If you exclude that game, he has averaged just 0.43 SpG from full-back! 

In his three appearances as a right winger, he has averaged 2.33 SpG, only failing to hit at least two shots in his first game their when he was pulled on the 46th minute. Betfair and Paddy Power have him priced at 9/4 to attempt two shots and 15/2 to attempt three, both of which are very appealing!

This bet is only valuable if Vazquez starts in attack therefore I'd recommend waiting for the team news before backing it and obviously if he is in defence avoid this bet.