Real Madrid v Barcelona is the showpiece match of the season and there’s a lot riding on it for the hosts in this one. Los Blancos have a game in hand on Barca bur are eleven points adrift of the La Liga leaders, so need to win to remain in the title race.
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Real Madrid v Barcelona Preview
There are some slight doubts about the availability of Cristiano Ronaldo following a calf problem sustained at the Club World Cup but he is expected to make the lineup. Luka Modric should also be declared fit and Zinedine Zidane has been handed a boost, with Gareth Bale also available for selection.
Barcelona are once again without injured regular centre-back Samuel Umtiti, so Thomas Vermaelen will continue to deputise. That could be a potential weakness for the visitors, which Real will be keen to exploit. At the other end of the pitch, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi are the obvious danger men for the visitors.
Real Madrid v Barcelona Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Navas; Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal; Casermiro, Kroos; Ronaldo, Isco, Modric; Benzema
Barcelona (4-4-2): ter Stegen; Alba, Vermaelen, Pique, Semedo; Iniesta, Paulinho, Busquets, Rakitic; Messi, Suárez
Real Madrid v Barcelona Betting Tips
- Real Madrid have won 7, drawn 3 and lost 0 games out of the last 10.
- Barcelona have won 6, drawn 4 and lost 0 games out of the last 10.
- In the last 10 games, Real Madrid have scored an average of 2.5 goals and have conceded an average of 0.7 goals.
- In the last 10 games, Barcelona have scored an average of 2.4 goals and have conceded an average of 0.4 goals.
- There have been over 2.5 goals in 7 of the last 10 Real Madrid games.
- There have been over 2.5 goals in 5 of the last 10 Barcelona games.
Real Madrid v Barcelona Prediction
Real’s trip to Abu Dhabi may have been just the tonic, as they go into the game as newly crowned World Club Cup winners, giving them a psychological edge. They remain under pressure to get a win and getting an early goal could be key to settling any nerves inside the Bernabeu. With this in mind, I anticipate Zidane instructing his players to go on the attack from the first whistle.
Barcelona know that anything other than defeat will be a good result for them in the grand scheme of things. It’s doubtful that they will play for a draw but they may be a little less adventurous in attack. They are unbeaten in La Liga this season but will view Real Madrid as the main threat to that record.
Real Madrid got the job done over two legs to lift the Spanish Super Cup earlier in the season (video below) and are tipped to clinch a vital win on Saturday. I expect end-to-end action and the tie to still be alive in the dying moments, with a late goal to settle it.
Free Betting Tips
Match Prediction
Real Madrid win 21/20 at Bet365.
Over/Under Prediction
Over 2.5 goals 4/11 at Bet365.
Result
Real Madrid to win 2-1 17/2 at Bet365.
- Disclaimer: Odds correct at time of publishing
