Against All Odds: Mourinho to mastermind one last victory

Jose has got a bit hot under the collar lately

Barcelona are odds-on for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final with Real Madrid and despite the match being played at the Nou Camp, Paul Robinson thinks that their price is a touch short.

Barcelona put their Champions League setback behind them on Saturday by beating Sevilla 2-1 in La Liga. Things weren't looking too rosy at half time though as Barca were 1-0 down and staring at back to back defeats. Credit where it's due though and things had turned around by the hour mark thanks to goals from David Villa and Lionel Messi.

Tito Vilanova is still battling health issues but that hasn't stopped his side from running away with the league title and they currently sit 12 points clear of Atletico Madrid in second and 16 ahead of Real in third. The Champions League is obviously the priority now, with the Copa del Rey bottom of the list.

It's been a disappointing season for Real Madrid and it's looking likely that Jose Mourinho will leave once it ends. The 'Special One' will want to silence his critics before he goes though and the only way he could possibly do that is if he wins the Champions League and probably this competition as well.

Madrid face a huge eight days starting tonight as they play Barcelona again in La Liga on Saturday and then they go to Old Trafford a week today for the second leg of their Champions League tie with Manchester United. Given that they are so far adrift of Barca in the league, it is likely that they will go all out for progress in the Copa del Rey this evening and then possibly rest a few key personnel at the weekend with the United game in mind.

The first leg of this tie finished 1-1 at the Bernabeu a month ago so it's evenly poised ahead of the match, which can be seen live on Sky Sports One at 20:00. The last four results at the Nou Camp between these pair have been 2-2, 3-2, 1-2 and 2-2, so three of those four would be good enough to send Real through to the final to play either Atletico or Sevilla.

Taking everything into account, Barcelona's odds of 1.774/5 are just a shade too short for me, and that's why I'm making them my lay of the day.  

Recommended Bet
Lay Barcelona v Real Madrid @ 1.774/5

2013 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 56 pts
Returned: 51.11 pts
P/L – 4.89 pts (after commission)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)