Madrid vs Barcelona Preview, Predictions, and Top Wagers
In just a few days, La Liga titans Real Madrid and Barcelona clash on the Santiago Bernabéu pitch. This epic rivalry has seen Real take the upper hand recently, with four wins from five encounters, scoring a whopping 13 goals in those wins.
However, Barca currently sit pretty atop the La Liga table, having won an amazing 13 of their last 14 league matches. Class is permanent, form is temporary, or so they say.
Real Madrid's Recent Results
A heady mix of good and bad has been the story for Real Madrid. On the positive side, they've witnessed a five-match winning streak since the Madrid derby - the only blemish being that late goal from Atletico Madrid, which led to a 1-1 draw. The Los Blancos also defeated Villarreal and Celta Vigo and most recently demolished Dortmund 5-2.
Unfortunately, they've also dropped valuable points in a 1-0 loss to Lille in the Champions League, creating chances aplenty with a xG of 2.18.
Injury Woes for Real
A bevy of injuries has hit the team, with key members Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Brahim Diaz, Thibaut Courtois, and Rodrygo set to miss the game. That leaves Andriy Lunin to start in goal, while Lucas Vazquez steps in at right-back and Aurelien Tchouameni might claim Rodrygo's spot. Jude Bellingham may move forward alongside Kylian Mbappe, with Mbappe switching to a wide role.
Survival of the Fittest, For Now
Sitting three points behind Barcelona, Real know a win is crucial. Ancelotti may opt for a more defensive approach, looking to counter-attack with Vinicius Junior and Mbappe. A draw wouldn't be disastrous, but a win would be preferred, especially considering the injury list.
Barcelona's Shimmering Season
Barça have been nothing short of magnificent this season, winning nine of ten La Liga matches. Sadly, they encountered a few stumbles, suffering a 2-1 Champions League loss at Monaco and a surprising 4-2 defeat to Osasuna. However, they quickly dusted themselves off with wins over Villarreal, Getafe, and Young Boys, as well as a 5-1 demolition of Sevilla and a 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich, where Raphinha netted a hat-trick.
Barcelona's Half-empty Squad
Ter Stegen and the injured defenders Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, and Eric Garcia will be out, while Dani Olmo, Gavi, and Frenkie De Jong may start on the bench. Young chargers Marc Casado and Fermin Lopez could feature in midfield.
A Chance for Barça to Clinch Their Lead
A win would propel Barça to a six-point lead, a significant advantage. A draw would be a good result, but they'll be aiming for the win to maintain their momentum.
Key Stats
Real Madrid:
- Los Blancos have lost only 1 of their last 40 matches.
- They've won four of the last five clashes with Barca, scoring 13 goals.
Barca:
- Barça have won 11 of their 13 matches this season, scoring 43 goals.
- Barcelona's Raphinha has scored 8 goals in his last 10 matches at club level.
Bet Now: La Liga
Verdict
Real Madrid will rise to the occasion in this El Clásico showdown.
**Best Bet: Real Madrid win at 2.00****
**Value Bet: Real Madrid win and both teams to score at 3.15****
**Goalscorer Tip: Raphinha to score anytime at 3.30****
Twitter: @footy_analysis | Written by *James O'Connor, a football analyst with the UEFA A coaching license, who's worked for several clubs in analysis roles and writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League.
- In the upcoming La Liga fixture, Real Madrid and Barcelona will square off on the Santiago Bernabéu pitch, a classic Spanish derby that has seen Real take the upper hand recently.
- Despite Real Madrid's recent winning streak, Barcelona currently lead La Liga with an impressive 13 victories from their last 14 league matches.
- The recent form for Real Madrid has been a mix of both positive and negative results, with five consecutive wins since the Madrid derby, but also a 1-0 loss to Lille in the Champions League.
- Key injuries to Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Brahim Diaz, Thibaut Courtois, and Rodrygo will leave gaps in Real Madrid's lineup for this highly anticipated match.
- Barça have been one of the standout teams this season with 11 wins from 13 matches in La Liga, scoring an impressive total of 43 goals.
- Barcelona will be missing key players Ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo, and Frenkie De Jong, which open opportunities for young players like Marc Casado and Fermin Lopez in midfield.
