Home and Away: Back Holloway's boys to tame Lions tonight

30Apr 2013

Betfair

Jonno Turner looks at action in the Champions League and Championship - both of which are in their final stages...

We're off to Spain for our first pick of the day - and Real Madrid welcome Borussia Dortmund to the Bernabeu in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, looking to overturn a massive 4-1 loss from last Wednesday.

Jose Mourinho's side have their work cut out this evening, and will be looking to burst out of the traps right from the off in order to give themselves any chance of securing a place in the final of this competition.

That seems unlikely based on their first showing in this tie - but that away goal could hugely important for the hosts.

Real welcome Alvaro Arbeloa back into the side following suspension and he should shore up the defence somewhat - with Cristiano Ronaldo also making his comeback following a thigh strain.

A 2-1 win at rivals Atletico Madrid at the weekend will have boosted confidence in the home camp, and that was their 13th win in 17 outings.

It's also worth noting that los Blancos have not lost on their own patch since January 2012, and 29 goals smashed in their last 10 on their own patch shows just how dominant they can be at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho has certainly done nothing to lift the pressure on his players - calling this one Real Madrid's 'biggest game in 10 years' - and they will be desperate to weigh in with a positive performance on their own patch, whatever the ultimate outcome.

Visitors Dortmund go into this one having won their last six on the bounce - but their away form isn't so stellar, and they have won just four of their last 10 on the road.

Mourinho will no doubt also have noticed that the Germans have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 on their travels, and that suggests that there could be goals goals goals here.

Jurgen Klopp will be reminding his side of the importance of avoiding complacency, and it's worth noting that Dortmund have surrendered a three-goal first-leg lead before, when Club Brugge reversed a 3-0 first leg loss with a 5-0 home success in the 1987/88 UEFA Cup third round.

Bet 1: Real Madrid (HOME) @ 1.59

Back to slightly less glamourous climes now - as Millwall host Crystal Palace at the Den, in what looks set to be a massive game for both sides, but for different reasons.

Kenny Jackett's Lions side line up for this clash sitting 19th in the Championship, and desperately need maximum points in order to put some breathing space between themselves and the drop zone.

Just one point separates the hosts from Barnsley, who occupy the final relegation place going into the last weekend of the season, and Jackett will be keen for his side to arrest a slump which has seen them lose five of their last six, as they welcome their south London rivals to their patch.

And just one win from 10 in front of their own fans suggests that the New Den is not the fortress it once was.

Visitors Crystal Palace travel to this encounter occupying fifth place in the table, but have just a one point advantage on seventh placed Nottingham Forest - and run a real risk of slipping out of the play-offs should they lose this game.

Ian Holloway's side have struggled for consistency of late - but just four losses from their last 15 indicates that the Eagles are capable of holding out their opponents, and three draws from their last four exemplifies that.

A draw at Blackburn on Saturday was two points less than Holloway would've liked, and he will be keen for his charges to heap more misery on the Lions this evening - and, at the same time, secure their place in the top six.

Bet 2: Crystal Palace (AWAY) @ 2.72