Atletico Madrid - Barcelona Betting: Why backing Lionel Messi to score offers unmissable value

Our man in Spain, Phil Kitromilides, has taken a look at the goalscorers market for tonight's Copa del Rey clash and thinks the price for Messi to score at anytime is appealing Things are pretty straight forward for Atletico Madrid this evening; fail to score and they are out of the Copa del Rey. The situation is similarly simple for Barcelona in that the Catalans know even one goal would give them a great chance of progressing, leading as they are 1-0 from the first leg. So goals are necessary tonight for both sides and the array of attacking talent on display should mean we get a few at the Vicente Calderon.

Leading the betting for the hosts is Mario Mandzukic at 13/2 (6.50) with Paddy Power to open the scoring and at 9/4 (3.25) to socre at anytime while Fernando Torres is available at 12/5 (3.40) to score at anytime although it is the Croatian who is more likely to start the game. Atleti's most gifted forward player, however, is Antoine Griezmann and the Frenchman is their top scorer with 10 La Liga goals. He is offered at 11/4 (3.75) to net at anytime and that would seem to offer some value for those looking to back one of the Rojiblancos to get on the scoresheet. But the best bet this evening is also the simplest. Lionel Messi has been in sensational form since the start of the year and has scored in each of the last five matches notching eight goals in the process.

He was the match-winner from the penalty spot in last week's first leg at the Camp Nou, as well as scoring when the two sides met in La Liga just over two weeks ago and is offered at a hugely eyecatching price of 13/10 (2.30) to score at anytime. Barcelona have been playing some excellent attacking football in recent weeks scoring 23 goals in their last six games, and Messi has been at the hub of this attacking force. The price of 13/10 (2.30) for him to score a goal is close to as big as you will find in any match all season and while others might be tempted by the slightly bigger odds of 17/10 (2.70) for Neymar to find the back of the net, investing in Messi is a wise decision.