Stingy Leganes could keep things tight against Real Madrid

Copa del Rey 8.30pm Thursday

A Copa del Rey quarter-final doesn't usually ignite much interest in Madrid – but this isn’t a usual Copa quarter-final.

Real Madrid make the short hop to the suburbs to take on Leganes knowing that defeat is unthinkable having all but given up on the title race following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Villarreal.

That was the third match without a win in a row for Real. They are 19 points adrift of Barcelona and that has piled the pressure on manager Zinedine Zidane.

Suddenly winning the Copa means more than normal and it’s why Zidane, who tends to field the reserves in first legs, may have to retain a few more of his elite players. He is likely to welcome back Karim Benzema after injury but Cristiano Ronaldo is probably deemed too precious even for this occasion.

That might make Real more attractive as a bet, especially as Leganes, who are 13th in the league, have to keep an eye on Sunday’s clash at Alaves.

A punt on under 2.5 goals makes plenty of appeal.

Low-scoring games are certainly the norm for Leganes, whose La Liga matches have produced the fewest goals of any team's – an average of just 1.8 per game.

Under coach Asier Garitano they play an almost risk-free style of football, the upshot of which is that they have scored only 15 goals in 18 games and just seven in eight at home, yet boast a defensive record bettered only by Barcelona and Atletico.

Recommendation
Under 2.5 goals
1pt 5-4 BetBright

Bet on this match at soccerbase.com

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