Football Betting – Madrid Spending Yet To Worry Barca Backers

It appears the little matter of a few million euros isn’t going to stand in the way of Florentino Perez and the Real Madrid board and what they view as their rightful place at the summit of La Liga and in the latter stages of the Champions League. Barcelona‘s historic Champions League-La Liga-Copa del Rey treble last season was too much to bear for fans of Los Blancos and they have a history of making their feelings known. Real‘s response has been to splash the cash on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema, with more set to follow before the new season kicks off. Skybet are offering 40-1 that Madrid emulate Barca’s feat in 2010 (Barcelona are only 14-1 on betfair for an encore) and go 10-1 that they achieve the La Liga-Champions League double. A more significant signing for Real than all of the big-name front players, however, may be Raul Albiol. Anyone who saw Madrid‘s defensive frailties exposed at Anfield last season, or by Barcelona in the Bernebeu, knows they need a new back four and the acquisition of Spanish international centre-back Albiol from Valencia is a big step in the right direction. Barca, meanwhile, have been very quiet in the transfer market with president Joan Laporta refusing to get into a bidding war for any of the club’s alleged summer targets. David Villa is known to be keen on a move to the Camp Nou, but Valencia certainly won’t let him go on the cheap and the Catalan giants may reluctantly have to let Samuel Eto’o leave for Manchester City to fund any deal for Villa. Barcelona, however, remain solid 10-11 favourites (general) to retain their La Liga Primera title next season with Real a best 5-4 with Coral and Skybet. Atletico Madrid and Sevilla are next best at 33-1 with boylesports and Stan James.