Our man in Madrid, Phil Kitromilides, explains why he is so excited to find La Liga's top scorer at odds against to score anytime in a fixture in which he boasts a superb record
Cristiano Ronaldo returns from a two-match suspension for one of the biggest games of the season as Real Madrid make the short trip to the south of the Spanish capital to face Atletico. The Ballon d'Or winner turned 30 this week and will be desperate to celebrate with a goal against a side upon whom he has wreaked havoc in the past.
Ronaldo has netted 15 times against the Rojiblancos and unsurprisingly is the shortest-priced player to score at anytime, offered at 5/4 (2.20) by William Hill.
While he may lead the market and understandably so, that price is big enough to make regular punters on La Liga extremely excited, given that Ronaldo is practically never offered at odds-against to score at anytime in a domestic game.
He has already scored twice against Diego Simeone's men this season and the fact that he takes penalties should also be considered: Madrid (and Ronaldo) have scored seven spot-kicks in the last 15 derbies, a stat that should only add weight to the confidence of this selection.
For the hosts, their goal threats are varied, with top scorer Mario Mandzukic leading the way at 17/10 (2.70)to score at anytime and the Croatian is in decent form, having netted 11 league goals.
The headlines have been made elsewhere, though, with Fernando Torres having had quite an impact on the Madrid derby since rejoining his boyhood club, scoring twice at the Bernabeu to eliminate the holders from the Copa del Rey.
Torres is offered at 2/1 (3.00) to find the back of the net, while Antoine Griezmann can be backed at 9/5 (2.80), and Atleti's prowess from set pieces makes Diego Godin a constant threat at 5/1 (6.00).
Yet given his form, his record in this fixture and his status as the world's best player, there really is no better bet than backing Ronaldo to score and the price offered is too tempting to turn down
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