In-play Betting Tips: Beware of Liverpool levellers and Rayo's cut-off

Both defences face testing evenings at the Etihad Stadium

Michael Lintorn explores in-play betting opportunities for a trio of tantalising Bank holiday Monday matches...

Real Madrid v Cordoba
Monday, 19:00
Live on Sky Sports 5

Match Odds: Real Madrid 1.081/12, Cordoba 46.045/1, The Draw 17.016/1

Almost every piece of available evidence indicates that Real Madrid will immediately add three points to their La Liga tally in their first fixture against promoted Cordoba. The Champions League holders have won 33 of their previous 37 league encounters at the Bernabeu, whereas their visitors weren't even that convincing on their second-tier regular-season travels, winning just seven from 21.

However, something that you may have realised in watching Real's Supercopa defeat to Atletico Madrid is that they rarely start with huge conviction. They haven't been ahead at the interval in any of their four prior home league openers this decade - against Osasuna, Getafe, Valencia and Real Betis - so there is potential to find a meatier Real win price than 1.081/12 by holding out until half time.

Man City v Liverpool
Monday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports 1

Match Odds: Man City 1.8810/11, Liverpool 4.47/2, The Draw 4.1n/a

Despite these teams locking out the top two last term, Manchester City v Liverpool is still a fair distance short of being recognised as the most illustrious match that the Premier League has to offer. It is certainly one of the most enjoyable though, with both sides scoring in each of their last five showdowns, which averaged four goals per 90 minutes.

How do you profit from their mutual appreciation of the art of the net-rippling? One way to operate in-play is to wait for the first goal to arrive and then back whichever club concedes it to assume responsibility for firing in the next. The deadlock-breaking strike has been equalised in four of their most recent five collisions, including the latest two to have been staged at the Etihad Stadium.

Rayo Vallecano v Atletico Madrid
Monday, 21:00
Live on Sky Sports 5

Match Odds: Rayo Vallecano 7.06/1, Atletico Madrid 1.548/15, The Draw 4.47/2

Three days after reclaiming bragging rights in Madrid's headline derby with a Spanish Supercopa triumph - as predicted on Betting.Betfair - Atletico Madrid begin their La Liga defence at another capital club: admirably fearless Rayo Vallecano. Their willingness to attack usually means rivalling elite opposition for possession but finishing pointless, as occurred in five of their last six clashes with Atletico.

Rayo's style is conducive to scoring plenty - they have boasted a top-ten attack in all three seasons back up, despite finishing in the top half only once - but their breathless approach doesn't lend itself to late goals. They have notched beyond the 67th minute a mere three times in their last 17 La Liga games (one of those a penalty), compared to 22 times in the first three-quarters.

That knowledge can be used in-play either to encourage a second-half bet on the Atletico clean sheet if they are on course or to back under the appropriate goalline entering the final 23 minutes.