Champions League
The second of the Champions League semi finals takes place tonight and it is a really intriguing match up between Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Atletico play hosts for the first leg and they will look to use all of their brilliant defensive organisation to repel what is a wonderful Bayern attack. Madrid were good enough to be able to get the goal and then ride out the entire rest of the game against Barcelona, which goes to show just how well drilled Diego Simone has this team. They will surely look to do the same here tonight and not concede that all important away goal.
Bayern came through their quarter final against Benfica reasonably comfortably in the end and would fancy their chances of scoring at least once at any ground in the world. Attacking talents such as Lewandowski, Muller, Goetze and Costa are a real force to be reckoned with and I think they will do enough to score at least once here tonight, even with Madrid's defensive prowess.
When Munich really turn the style on I have them as the best team in Europe and am confident that they will secure the away win and take the advantage with them back to Germany. We can obtain a best price of 17/10 on this happening and there is definitely value in that.
As Madrid are so solid defensively, the 'both teams to score' price is actually odds against. however Madrid will need to score to have a good chance of going through. Therefore, this is another selection I am keen to take.
17:30 Punchestown Gold Cup
Unfortunately, Gold Cup winner Don Cossack misses this race and a potential showdown with Cue Card. However, there are still three horses in this race that contested the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham festival and then most recently the Betfred Bowl at Aintree.
From those races, it is hard to see past Cue Card celebrating yet another victory this season. He was going brilliantly when coming down three out in the Gold Cup but put that right next time out at Aintree when cruising to victory over Don Poli and Djakadam. Given a clear round there is nothing to suggest that they have what it takes to reverse the form and I quite like the chances of Noel Meade's Road To Riches completing the forecast.
His past couple of races have been on the short side, and back at this trip I think he has a good chance of following Cue Card home.
Today's Selections
Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich - Bayern win - 2 points @ 17/10 (William Hill)
Both teams to score - 3 points @ 15/13 (10Bet)
Punchestown 17:30 - straight forecast Cue Card and Road To Riches - 1 point