Real Madrid

APOEL v Real Madrid

Much has been made of surprise package APOEL’s remarkable run to the last eight of Europe’s marquee club competition but it is difficult to envisage the fairytale continuing at the expense of nine-time European winners Real Madrid.

True, the Cypriot minnows have won five of their seven home games in this season’s competition but Jose Mourinho’s expensively assembled La Liga title-chasers are simply a class apart.

The wily Portuguese coach also has enough senior professionals in his ranks to deal with the much-heralded reception likely to face Spain’s capital club at the intimidating 23,000-capacity GSP Stadium in Nicosia.

It is without question the biggest game in APOEL’s history but one questions whether the Cypriots could get caught up in a bit of shirt swapping and star gazing rather than the job in hand.

“We’ve done something exceptional, something that can never happen again,” said APOEL president Phivos Erotokritou.

Real Madrid have won seven of their eight games in this season’s Champions League and are priced accordingly at 2/7 (APOEL 10/1, draw 9/2 – 90 minutes) but it may pay to avoid any exotic scorelines.

One option would be to split stakes on a 1-0 and 2-0 job done-type outcome given that Real have only conceded one goal in four European away trips this season, while Under 2.5 goals is quoted at a not-too-shabby price of 6/5.

In-form striker Cristiano Ronaldo has registered five goals in his last four European matches and at the weekend smashed the 100-goal personal milestone for the club. The Portuguese superstar can be backed at 9/4 in the first and last goalscorer markets.

Benfica v Chelsea

Benfica have won 11 of their last 12 games at the Stadium of Light and can book a place in the semi-finals for the first time in 22 years to send England’s last representatives packing.

Compare that statistic to Chelsea’s overall away form – the west Londoners have won only one of their last six away games, against Birmingham in the FA Cup – and it is hard to make a case for the Blues at 2/1 (Benfica 11/8, draw 23/10 – 90 minutes).

On the road in Europe and the omens looks even worse given that Chelsea have not triumphed away from Stamford Bridge since a 2-0 win against Copenhagen over a year ago.

Much was made of the manner in which Roberto Di Matteo’s men overturned a first-leg deficit against Napoli to get this far, but everything went for them on the night and, let’s not forget, they still conceded.

A drab goalless draw against Tottenham at the weekend proved a fixture to forget and served as a reminder that their problems remain in attack.

Benfica have kept three clean sheets in six games on home soil in Europe this season and the ‘to win to nil’ option is available at 11/4.

They have been ahead in four out of those six games by half-time and can be backed at 3/1 in the Benfica/Benfica half-time full-time market.

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For many England supporters Saturday night might have been a bittersweet one. While the result and some aspects of the performance will give those who follow the Three Lions hope, there will be others who point to the flaws in their performance. Spain controlled the game from minute one and to see an England side dominated so much at Wembley might have come as a shock to those supporters still living on former glories.

The result papers over the cracks somewhat but Fabio Capello will hope beating the reigning world and European champions will give his England side the confidence boost they need to kick on. The only worry might be England becoming over confident thanks to the win and looking beyond a dangerous Sweden team.

Erik Hamren’s men qualified for Euro 2012 as the best runners-up from the group stage, finishing behind the Netherlands. The Swedes were the only team to take points off the Dutch, beating them 3-2 as they ended up with 24 points from a possible 30 in qualification.

Hamren has a decent squad at his disposal as well, lead by the mercurial Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The AC Milan striker blows hot and cold but when on form can be unplayable and is 15/8 to score at anytime. He should be supported by the likes of Sebastian Larsson, Kim Kallstrom, Johan Elmander and Ola Toivonen. While it isn’t the strongest Sweden squad ever assembled they should have enough to test England.

Capello has admitted he will make eight changes to his starting XI from the one that beat Spain, with Daniel Sturridge (9/2 first goalscorer), Bobby Zamora (9/2), Jack Rodwell, Danny Welbeck (4/1), Kyle Walker and Scott Carson all in the frame. Capello proved on Saturday that you can mix and match when it comes to your team selection but throwing so many youngsters into the fray could prove to be a mistake.

England fans will certainly expect a more open game on Tuesday, Capello admitting he had to play defensively against Spain given their quality. A more open game could suit both sides, with Sweden having failed to score on Saturday for the first time in 11 matches as they lost to Denmark 2-0.

The Swedes will hope they can raise their game for the clash with England, a fixture they have traditionally done well in having not tasted defeat since 1968. The last time the two nations met was in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole with the goals for England in the 2-2 draw.

The draw at 13/5 might be the result to go for if history is to repeat itself, with eight of the last 12 matches between the two countries having ended all square. England will be expected to win but Sweden have proven they have the Three Lions’ number over the years and could do so once again.

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