Few would say no to a midweek El Clásico. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have been fierce rivals from time immemorial; the first fixture between the two teams dates back to 1901/1902. This midweek fixture is the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. With neither team securing a win during last weekend’s LaLiga matches, we can expect the two sides to be hungry for a win.
REAL MADRID
El Derbi Madrileño was quite a particular one for Ancelotti’s men. Their control of the game seemed to hint at an eventual three points, and Correa’s expulsion perhaps eased Real Madrid’s worries of a potential setback. Against the run of play, Gimenez nodded in Griezmann’s perfect free-kick cross to take the lead, and it had to be 18-year-old Álvaro Rodriguez to salvage a point later on. With that, Real Madrid stays rooted in second place—seven points away from Barcelona with 15 games remaining.
With the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup titles already in this season’s cabinet, Los Blancos will want to pile more silverware. Up for grabs is the Copa del Rey, but first, they’ll have to face an opponent who has already cost them the Supercopa: Barcelona. Trophy man Benzema will definitely be leading Real Madrid’s attack, together with Vinicius Junior and substitute Marco Asensio, who is filling in for the injured Rodrygo. Carlo Ancelotti’s worries will most likely lie in his team’s defence, which has suffered greatly against formidable opponents this season.
Los Blancos are the favourites to win at 7/5 (2.40), with Real Madrid goals to arrive in both halves is at 11/5 (3.20). Real Madrid to win 2-1 is listed at 8 (9.00).
FC BARCELONA
The Blaugrana have had somewhat of a spotty season thus far. Their command in the LaLiga has been nothing short of imposing—their recent 1-0 defeat to Almeria doesn’t take away from an impressive 19 wins from 22 games, with just eight goals conceded. On the other hand, Barcelona’s run in the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League later on, was completely unacceptable for the stature of such a legendary club. Barcelona finished third in its Champions League group and later bowed out of the Europa League to a more decisive Manchester United.
Xavi’s confidence against his eternal rival Real Madrid will nevertheless be palpable. After all, his team’s 3-1 victory against Los Blancos in the Supercopa earned him his first Spanish trophy as a manager. Nevertheless, last week was a rough one for Barcelona owing to the two defeats against Manchester United and Almeria. Barcelona’s low-scoring nature, coupled with its lack of experience in certain areas of the field, means that strong clubs are always capable of putting Xavi’s team on the back foot. Feeding Robert Lewandowski goal-scoring opportunities may be difficult, but it’s Barcelona’s best hope of inflicting any serious damage.
The result to be a draw or a Barcelona win is priced at 13/25 (1.52), with both teams to not score valued at 10/7 (2.42). The half-time result to be a draw is listed at 9/2 (5.50).
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*Odds subject to change. Odds correct at time of publishing