Atletico look to stay amongst the goals in the absence of Falcao

 

Jonno Turner has picked four winners from his six tips this week, and is looking to keep that run going with two more selections this evening.

 

Two more winners yesterday puts us on four from six tips this week - and we're off to Spain for our first pick of the day, as Atletico Madrid take a 2-0 lead to Real  Betis in the Copa del Rey, looking to secure their place in the semi finals of the competition.

 

Diego Simeone's side will be delighted with their victory in the first leg, but keen to provide a similar level of performance in here to ensure that their  qualification is a smooth one.

 

However the Rojiblancos are without star forward Radamel Falcao, who will be out for around three weeks with injury - so the Argentine boss is expected to shuffle his  attacking options somewhat.

 

The likes of Adrian Lopez, Diego Costa and Raul Garcia offer the visitors a wealth of talent up top, and they will be looking to take their chance this evening by  notching a goal or two.

 

But it's the Atletico defence which has been taking the plaudits of late - and a club record 10 consecutive clean sheets on their own patch was achieved last week,  suggesting that they have enough about them to see off the threat of Betis in this tie.

 

That makes 19 wins on the trot for Simeone's side at the Vicente Calderon, and they'll be keen to transpose that incredible form into their away outings.

 

Betis line up having won two of their last five on their own patch, and boss Pepe Mel has been hit by something of an injury crisis of late.

 

The Verdiblancos face being without five players tonight - with Eder Vilarchao, Mario set to miss out, and Salva Sevilla, Paulao and Canas all looking increasingly  doubtful - and Mel will know that the pressure is on his side to take this tie by the scruff of the neck.

 

But just two clean sheets from their last half a dozen suggests that the home side are likely to present their visitors with a chance or two - and with an Atletico  away goal meaning that their hosts need to score four in order to level this tie up, I think that Simeone's side will be looking to take advantage of that and notch as  early as possible.

 

Bet 1: Atletico Madrid (AWAY) @ 2.32

 

Staying in foreign climes now, and we're off to Brazil for our second selection, to focus on the Gaucho Campeonato clash between Caxias and Veranopolis.

 

Hosts Caxias are in impressive form going into this tie, and are unbeaten in six of their last seven outings - which will please their boss Edemar Antonio Picolli, as  they aim to extend their undefeated start to this competition.

 

A 0-0 draw away at Canoas in their opening clash last weekend was slightly underwhelming but the Rio Grande do Sul club will be pleased with a clean sheet to kick off  this competition, which they won back in 2000.

 

That makes four games without conceding from five played in recent weeks, and those solid defensive performances stand the Grena in good stead as they look to win make  it five unbeaten tonight.

 

Visitors Veranopolis go into this tie having failed to win in four of their last five on the road.

 

The Estadio Antonio David Farina side began their Gaucho campaign well with a 3-1 defeat of Novo Hamburgo on their own patch, and now Marcelo Caranhato's side will be  keen to build on that performance in the home of their Serie C opponents.

 

Ex-Caxias forward Le Lau leads the lead for the visitors, and looked impressive at the weekend, notching a goal in that win - but I fancy the home defence to be able  to soak up the attacking threat of their visitors, and I'm backing Caxias for the win.

 

Bet 2: Caxias (HOME) @ 1.86

 

Bet HERE

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