Where to find value in tight Juventus v Real Madrid encounter

Ladbrokes’ market for Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final trip to Juventus suggests holders Los Blancos have the edge at 6/4, ahead of the 21/10 hosts (although new customers can grab bigger odds here), but 11/5 about the draw could be the canniest play in Turin.

The Old Lady hasn’t been beaten at home in this competition for over two years and won four of her five home fixtures at Juventus Stadium so far this term, with the other fixture a 0-0 draw against Madrid’s neighbours Atletico.

Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s European champions have only lost twice away in the tournament over the same timeframe, going down to Borussia Dortmund on both occasions, and are unbeaten on their continental travels around Europe this season.

The one helpful piece of form could lie in the fact that each side has drawn 0-0 with Atleti so far this term, Madrid away and Juventus at home.

This could well be a cagey affair, with Massimiliano Allegri likely to look upon the hosts as an immovable object against a seemingly irresistible force. A draw looks the best shout on form at 11/5, with 1-1 the shortest-priced correct score at 11/2.

For a goalscorer, it’s impossible to ignore Cristiano Ronaldo anytime at 6/4, as the Portuguese bagged a hat-trick last time out at Sevilla, to make it 55 club and country goals for the season.

However, that treble snapped a three-game goalless run the former Manchester United forward was enduring, and he has failed to score next time out after grabbing three of his last four multi-goal hauls.

With that in mind, James Rodriguez may be the better bet for an opener at 8/1, as the Colombian has struck exactly once in six of his past ten appearances, opening the scoring in three of those matches.

James is 3/1 to sore at any time, while the 23-year-old bagging the opener in a 1-1 draw can be backed at 40/1.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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