Opta Stats: Real Madrid v CSKA Moscow

Opta / Michael Lintorn / 12 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Cristiano Ronaldo scored Real Madrid an all-important away goal in Moscow

Did CSKA Moscow's late equaliser in Russia merely delay the inevitable, or can they stun Real Madrid at the Bernabeu? Here's the Opta take on things...

Real Madrid have qualified to the Champions League knockout stage for the 15th consecutive season, currently the longest run.

The Russian side have never lost a European match against Spanish opposition, winning three and drawing three.

This is only CSKA's second appearance in the last 16 of the Champions League. In 2009-10 they eliminated a Spanish side -Sevilla - winning the second leg 2-1 on the road after a 1-1 home draw.

After an away draw in the first leg of a knockout round, Real have progressed in 11 out of 12 cases in the history of the European Cup. In 1991 though, Spartak Moscow eliminated Madrid with a 3-1 away win at the Bernabeu following a goalless draw in Russia.

Real Madrid have lost just one of their last 20 Champions League games, but the draw in the first leg was the first game they failed to win this season - after 18 points and a +17 goal difference in the group stage, the best Champions League group stage performance in history.

All three goals that Real Madrid have conceded in the Champions League this season have come in the last 10 minutes of play.

Real haven't conceded a first-half goal in their last 21 Champions League games.

CSKA are unbeaten in Champions League away games this season (one win, two draws), but they failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 of their last 12 Champions League away fixtures.

Real have won eight of their last nine Champions League home games.

Real Madrid have kept five clean sheets in their seven Champions League matches this season (more than any other side).

Real Madrid have kept 13 clean sheets in 19 Champions League games under Jose Mourinho.

Jose Mourinho has lost just three of his last 32 matches as a coach in the Champions League, with all three defeats at the hands of Barcelona.

50% of CSKA Moscow's Champions League goals this season have been scored by Seydou Doumbia (five out of 10).

Michael Lintorn has looked over the Opta stats and found reasons for Bayern Munich fans to be optimistic, but very few positives omens for Inter......

Inter's first win in ten away to Chievo on Friday prompted tears of joy from Claudio Ranieri. Will there be even wilder celebrations against Marseille?...

Bayern Munich's fierce European home record suggests that this round-of-16 tie is far from finished despite FC Basel's shock first-leg triumph......

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Europa League Betting: Porto v Spartak Moscow

Europa League / Richard Aikman / 06 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Hulk remains a key player for Porto

"Few expected Spartak to get past Ajax in the last round but they did so comfortably, winning 4-0 on aggregate."

The newly-crowned Portuguese champions are big favourites to conquer their Russian opponents but could Valeri Karpin's side cause another upset? Richard Aikman selects the bets.

Having clinched the Portuguese title at the weekend, FC Porto [1.42] will have no trouble sweeping aside Spartak Moscow [10.5] on Thursday night.

The Dragons were crowned champions with five matches to go after beating their nearest rivals and fellow Europa League quarter-finalists Benfica 2-1 at the Estadio de Luz, thanks to goals by Fredy Guarin and Hulk, and both players will be a threat against Spartak - as will Falcao, who is second top scorer in the competition with seven goals.

André Villas-Boas has had a remarkable first season in charge with his side winning 23 of their 25 league fixtures and losing just once in the Europa League. That defeat came at home to Sevilla but proved enough for the Portuguese Liga side to go through on away goals at the expense of the Spaniards anyway.

Furthermore, Porto only recently put a far better Muscovite side to the sword when beating CSKA Moscow both home and away. Given that the visitors have made a wretched start to their league campaign, losing two of their first three matches 4-0 and 3-1, the omens don't look good for Valeri Karpin's side.

Then again, few expected Spartak to get past Ajax in the last round but they did so comfortably, winning 4-0 on aggregate. They also knocked out another side that was playing Champions League football in the autumn, beating FC Basel 4-3 over two legs, and have lost only one of their last eight European away fixtures, 4-1 at Chelsea in this season's UEFA Champions League group stage. The draw is not unattractive at [4.9].

However, tournament favourites Porto [3.05], who have twice won 2-1 (priced at [8.8]) - against CSKA and Benfica - in their last three matches, are the second highest scorers in the competition and can be trusted to build a strong lead in front of their home crowd.

Recommended Bets
Back Porto to score at least two goals @ [1.6]
Back HT/FT Porto/Porto @ [2.18]
Porto to win 2-1 @ [8.8]

FC Porto wrapped up the Portuguese title under Andre Villas-Boas by beating deadly rivals Benfica in Lisbon and with domestic concerns now out of the way, the Europa League is next on the agenda....

Villarreal won the first leg wth a late goal and it's Bayer who now have it all to do. The Yellow Submarine are more than capable of playing out a goalless draw but they also have it in them to...

FC Porto are one of the tournament's favourites and bring a lead back to their home but there are plenty of reasons to suggest CSKA are still very much in this tie....

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