Three 'n' easy for Real - Diarra

Mahamadou Diarra is confident that Real Madrid will secure their third successive Primera Liga title despite an unconvincing start.

The Mali midfielder has been a key player this season as Bernd Schuster's side have not exactly set La Liga alight in their attempt to reclaim the championship crown once again.

However, following a narrow 2-1 win against Real Betis on Sunday which left Real in third position, Diarra boasted that the Spanish giants would be back on top come the end of the campaign.

"This Real Madrid will be league champions," he said.

"There is an even better feeling among the players than last season. I see a positive picture for this team.

"I hope to play more this season. I know I can only achieve this by working hard on the training field."

Punters looking to use a free £25 bet could heed the advice of Diarra to back Madrid for more title glory.

However the domestic campaign will be put on hold until next Sunday when Espanyol are the visitors to the Bernabeu as Real face a tough Champions League showdown against Zenit St Petersburg in Russia on Tuesday night.