‘El Classico’ – Barcelona v Real Madrid – La Liga

Sunday, November 29
Kick-off: 6pm GMT

El Classico. The name says it all. This is the heavyweight clash in La Liga between two of the strongest teams in Europe, when at the Camp Nou on Sunday, the world gets treated to the showcase that is Barcelona vs. Real Madrid.

This fixture is more than just a bitter rivalry, it is also a contest to brag as to who really is the best team in Europe. The Spanish league continues to be one of the strongest on the continent, with Barca, Real and Sevilla going well in the Champions League, and the national team recently leap-frogging above Brazil at the top of the FIFA World Rankings. This is a battle between the best of the best, and should produce a classic game, especially if they stick to their game plans and go for broke instead of being cautious. On a day of derby games in the English Premier League, this Spanish rivalry is always one of firey contests, with emotions often running over.

Real Madrid were buoyed by the sight of Cristiano Ronaldo making a 20-minute cameo appearance in their midweek Champions League fixture. That was the ex-Manchester United man’s first run out for his clubs for about eight weeks. For Barcelona, their enigmatic figure, Argentine Lionel Messi, is also fit again after injury, and the derby will see them go head to head in a tussle for supremacy. Barcelona will also welcome back striker Zlatan Imbrahimovic for Sunday’s game. Ronaldo and Messi are the stand out talents on both sides, which is saying something considering the names that get pencilled into the respective team sheets every week.

The amount of  talent on show is simply staggering. Not only is there Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but when you run down a list of names which include Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Guti, Lassana Diarra, Raul, van Nistlerooy, Benzema, Thierry Henry and Iniesta, then the talent is unquestionable. Real Madrid are of course, famed for collecting together the best players in the world, seemingly regardless of cost. It has led them to the current standing of top of La Liga by one point over Barca, but Barca are still unbeaten in the league, whereas Real Madrid have lost one game. A win for Madrid would open up a convincing and commanding lead at the top.

This is new generation of Galacticos in Madrid, backing up the golden generation of the likes of David Beckham and Zinidane Zidane. That injection of cash from Real President Perez, failed to bring home the silverware intended, and actually it gave rise to Barcelona’s success instead. Madrid’s coup of Beckham, meant that Barcelona instead ending up signing some Brazilian guy called Ronaldinho, which would inject good fortunes on the Catalan side. Barcelona won the treble last year, the first team in Spanish history to do so, all under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, who has come under fire this term, due to performances in the Champions League.

The two sides had contrasting games in the Champions League, with Real Madrid getting an expected win over FC Zurich, while Barcelona, who are in a tight battle for a qualification spot, rallied back to their best for a needed win over Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan. Madrid have a lot to prove, after Barcelona ran riot in their last meeting in the league last season, running out 6-2 winners over them. There is actually, having watched the teams ply their trade in the Champions League, a difference in class between the two giants. One thing that stands out, is that Barcelona look to be more of a team unit, while Madrid at times look like strangers still trying to get used to a way of playing with the personnel at their disposal. That could mean that there is a lot more to come from Real Madrid and coach Manuel Pellegrini.

El Classico brings together some of the best players in the world. Barcelona are the stronger of the two sides, and Real Madrid are failing to bring their A-game to the pitch when facing some of the best teams. However, Real Madrid look to be the form team with four wins and draw from their last five league games, whereas Barcelona have won two and drawn three. Camp Nou advantage here though, should mean that Barca will be good enough to take back some initiative in La Liga and press home their dominance over their bitter rivals.

Match Prices:
Barcelona to win: 10/11 at Totesport
Draw: 11/4 at Bet365
Real Madrid to win: 10/3 at Coral

Last four head to head league meetings:
Real Madrid 2 – Barcelona 6
Barcelona 2 – Real Madrid 0
Real Madrid 4 – Barcelona 1
Barcelona 0 – Real Madrid 1

Betting Stats:
Barcelona have a 100% home record
Real Madrid have a 60% away win record
Last 10 matches: Barcelona W7, D3, L0 – Real Madrid W8, D1, L1

Betting Tip: Barcelona -0.75 Asian Handicap – 15/14 at Expekt