Real Madrid Riddled with Injuries is Still Favored by Odds Makers

An important second leg of a Champions League quarterfinal tie kicks off tonight in Europe on Wednesday as Real Madrid hosts Atletico Madrid.

Real and Atletico are bitter cross-city rival and will play one another for the eighth and final time this season.

In the previous 7 head to head to head matches, there have been 5 draws and 2 wins by Atletico.

The two met last week in the first leg of this quarterfinal tie and battled to a 0-0 draw at Vicente Calderon Stadium home to Atletico.

In this match, Real will need either a win or a 0-0 draw following extra time to reach penalties. Nevertheless, Real is the favorite to win and move on to the semifinals. A Real win is at -125, while Atletico is currently +360 and a draw is +260.

The number of injuries los Blancos have suffered has dominated the run up to this match for Real. Luka Modric, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale will all miss the match today due to injuries. Marcelo will miss through a suspension.

Picking a side that can defeat Atletico will be tough work for manager Carlo Ancelotti. Real will pressure up front with Cristiano Ronaldo while looking to stifle any counter attack by Atletico.

Atletico will push forward as well but not with the same urgency as Real. Los Colchoneros have been successful against Real on counter attacks, and will pick and chose their opportunities as they present themselves.

The injuries Real has suffered means the Javier Hernandez will likely start on attack and be supported by a midfield of James Rodriguez, Isco, Toni Kroos and Ronaldo.

Mario Suarez will miss out for Atletico due to a suspension. The club will have Mario Mandzukic back on attack after he suffered a slight ankle sprain at the weekend. Jan Oblak, who was a hero of sorts in the first match, will remain in goal for Atletico.

With both clubs looking to score, the OVER on 2.5, which is -105, could have value.

This match could easily go either way, but I like Real to win a thriller 3-2.