Real Madrid vs Eibar
La Liga is back and it remains to be seen whether the enforced break has helped Real Madrid or not. That’s because when play was halted in mid-March, they were having a bit of a wobble.
After being in fine form until February, they then lost four of seven outings in all competitions and won just two of those encounters.
Make no mistake, the Spanish giants are having a much better season than they were at the same stage of 2018/19.
Yet the fact remains that they need to return to winning ways this weekend or risk being in exactly the same position they were 12 months ago.
Back then, two defeats in a week to arch-rivals Barcelona effectively ended their season. They were well adrift in the league and ruthlessly dispatched from the Copa del Rey, as well as being comprehensively knocked out of the Champions League as reigning champions.
Now the same thing could potentially happen again, albeit Real seem in rude health and are now showing slow signs of recovery under the second coming of Zinedine Zidane – Zidane 2.0 as I’ve seen it dubbed.
Talking Points
That has led to plenty of La Liga highlights so far this term.
However, while they had the joy of the El Clásico victory, that was tarnished somewhat by their surprise defeat at Real Betis in their last competitive outing – a result which ceded the initiative right back to Barca in the title race.
Their league form was certainly inconsistent before COVID-19 struck so now they need three points and a swagger as they welcome Eibar to the Di Stefano for this clash.
The reality is they also trail 2-1 travelling to Manchester City after the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
The delay has actually proved good fortune on the injury front.
When this fixture was due to be played in March, Isco was a doubt with a back problem, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and left-back Marcelo were both injury doubts, and Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio were continuing their recovery from injuries.
Now, all are available and with the exception of Nacho Fernandez and Luka Jovic, manager Zinedine Zidane has a full squad to choose from.
Since they returned to Valdebebas for training almost four weeks ago, Zidane has already organised several small-sided matches, including one at the Di Stefano to simulate Sunday’s match as much as possible.
Gareth Bale did not play because of a muscle overload, but he is training like usual and could form part of the Los Blancos front three with Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard.
Eibar, which is managed by Jose Luis Mendilibar, are currently 16th and they are two points above the relegation zone so they need the points themselves.
That is hard to see though, even if Real were inconsistent before the coronavirus pandemic brought sport to a standstill nearly three months ago.
All the smart money via the SBOBET La Liga betting odds will be on Zidane and his crew.
History
In 11 meetings between these sides in the top flight, Eibar have won once, drawn once, and lost the other nine.
That came in a shock at Eibar last season when Real were in a rut and went down to a 3-0 defeat, courtesy of goals from Gonzalo Escalante, Sergi Enrich and Kike Garcia.
This corresponding fixture last term went the way of the hosts who prevailed 2-1, thanks to two headers from Karim Benzema after Marc Cardona had put Eibar in front.
Earlier this season, Real won 4-0 on Eibar’s turf. Benzema was twice on target again with Ramos and Federico Valverde grabbing the other goals.
Eibar’s best ever result on home soil against mighty Real came in the 2004 Copa del Rey when they held them to a 1-1 draw before Madrid won the second leg 2-0.
Betting Tip
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Real Madrid vs Eibar | Real Madrid First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.95 |
| June 15, 01:30 (GMT+8) |
Real will have to go all out for glory in this one.
They are priced 1X2 @ 1.25 with Eibar out @ 11.00. The draw is on offer @ 5.80.
With Asian Handicap odds, Real can be backed -2.00 @ 2.20 and Eibar +1.50 @ 2.28.
For a repeat scoreline from earlier in the campaign – correct score 4-0 – the payout will be @ 12.50. If you do fancy goals, how about total goal 2-3 @ 2.18, total goal 4-6 @ 2.58 or over 3.25 goals @ 2.11?
I cannot see past a home win and I think they will lead by the break also.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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