Malaga-Barcelona Betting Preview: Back the Blaugrana to net in both halves

Jan 24, 2013 5:23:00 PM

Our Spanish expert Phil Kitromilides believes backing the Catalans to find the net either side fo the break at 10/11 (1.91) offers the best value in Thursday's Copa del Rey clash

A third game between these two sides in 11 days sees Barcelona travel to La Rosaleda knowing they must win to guarantee their place in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Last week's result, a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou in the first leg of this last eight clash, means that Malaga are in a decent position, but know they will have to contain a Barca side who will be smarting after suffering their first league defeat at the weekend against Real Sociedad.

Nevertheless the bookmakers do not seem to think that will make much of a difference this evening, and having comprehensively beaten Malaga 3-1 away in La Liga less than two weeks ago, William Hill price another Catalan triumph at just 2/5 (1.40).

Malaga meanwhile remain outsiders for the win at 9/2 (5.50) with the draw offered at 17/5 (4.40).

The tip in the league meeting between these two sides at La Rosaleda was for both of them to score and a repeat this evening looks highly likely.

Malaga have scored in all but one of their last 22 home matches, while Barcelona simply have to score to stay in the competition.

However the price of 6/10 (1.60) is just a little too small for us to consider. Instead the price of 10/11 (1.91) for Barcelona to score in both halves looks much more attractive.

As previously mentioned, Barcelona must score and as such we can expect them to try and impose themselves on the game even more than they normally do.

This bet paid out comfortably in the last game these two played at La Rosaleda and would appear to have an excellent chance of doing so again this evening.

For a value bet back the Catalans to score exactly two goals in the first at 7/2 (4.50) with this proving the correct selection in both of Barca's last two games.