Who will reign in Spain? The battle for supremacy in La Liga will resume on Saturday, in the most crucial match of the domestic season, as Barcelona v Real Madrid betting takes centre stage. It is Jose Mourinho’s men who hold a narrow four point advantage over the Catalans heading into the match, and with just five games remaining, this could be the big turning point for the destination of the league title. Interestingly, both of the Spanish giants lost their respective first legs of the Champions League semi final during the week, with Madrid going down against Bayern Munich, and Barcelona losing out at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. So this game of huge importance, a possible title decider, comes when both will still have one on next week’s semi final second legs. So the stage has been set. Can Madrid open up what should be an unassailable seven point lead with four games to go, or will Barcelona close the gap to just one point?
Current La Liga Standings
1) Real Madrid W27 D2 L2 GF107 GA29 Pts 85
2) Barcelona W25 D6 L2 GF96 GA 24 Pts 81
Online bookmaker Paddy Power have a great Barcelona v Real Madrid betting promotion running for Saturday’s big La Liga match up. If Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo scores the first goal of Barcelona v Real Madrid betting, then Paddy Power will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct Score and Scorecast bets placed on the match. This is superb coverage because the likelihood is, that one of Europe’s two most prolific scores will make the first impression in the match. Madrid’s Ronaldo has netted a remarkable 41 league goals this season, and Lionel Messi has bagged the same total. It is remarkable goal scoring feats from the duo. So if one of them pops up and opens the scoring, then the Paddy Power Money Back Special will kick in.
In the First Goalscorer market, Messi is 3/1 to open the scoring, while rival Cristiano Ronaldo is priced at 11/2 to net first. So pretty solid options and value in backing either of them, especially on Lionel Messi who has netted in 10 consecutive league matches now. in the Correct Score Market for Barcelona v Real Madrid betting, a 2-1 win for Barcelona, a 2-0 win and 1-0 win along with a 1-1 draw are all trading at 7/1, so you can see who is expected to win by that. So great coverage for your betting, an online bookmaker Paddy Power offer a free £50 for new customers registering an account with them. The bookie will match the value of your first stake on a new account with a free bet, as welcome bonus offer.
Barcelona v Real Madrid Betting Odds
Barcelona to win: 4/6 at Bet365
Draw: 16/5 at Bet Victor
Real Madrid: 17/4 at Boylesports
This will be Barcelona’s last chance to reel in leaders Real Madrid. The Catalans have been chasing Jose Mourinho’s men for most of the season, but slowly and surely they have pulled themselves back in contention. Barcelona have to win this match, and they are the side which are in the hot form at the moment, with Pep Guardiola’s men rattling off eleven wins in a row in the league, and out of those matches, there have been five clean sheets for them as well. Barcelona scored a huge triumph at Real Madrid back at the start of last December, when they rolled into the Bernabeu and rattled off a 3-1 win. Neither Messi or Ronaldo got on the score sheet on that occasion, but it signalled the fact that Barcelona still have the beating off Real Madrid. They put on another tactical master-class on that occasion to keep themselves in the hunt for the title, and that is just what they need again. Barcelona’s record at the Nou Camp this season has been mightily impressive as always. Out of sixteen matches, they have won fifteen, drawn one and lost none. What is more remarkable is their goalscoring stats, as they have netted 64 times in sixteen home games this season, at an average of four per game. They have conceded only eight and that is why they are so strong. It is all about possession for Barcelona and then unleashing the little genius that is Lionel Messi.
Real Madrid really lay down a bit challenge to Barcelona this season, as Jose Mourinho took them on another level. The Madrid side is led by Cristiano Ronaldo, with all his creativity and prowess in front of goal, but they have just started to feel the pressure a little bit of late. After losing to Barcelona in the league back in December, Real Madrid put together a stretch of eleven straight wins, but over the last seven matches, they have been held to a draw on three occasions. That has allowed Barcelona to close the gap on them now and this is going to be a huge test of mettle for them. The thing about Real Madrid, is that they genuinely have a three pronged attacked with superb support from Higuain and Benzema in weighing in with goals. So they are not a one man show perhaps as much as Barcelona are. Real Madrid have tremendous goal-scoring power, and average 2.75 goals per game away from home this season, and hold a W13 D2 L1 away record in La Liga. But can Mourinho out-manoeuvre Pep Guardiola in this most crucial battle? Real Madrid have netted 107 league goals this season, compared to 96 from Barcelona, but all the momentum is with the Catalans.
Some important Barcelona v Real Madrid betting stats for you to digest.
- Barcelona haven’t lost in the last seven meetings with Real Madrid (winning six of them).
- Barcelona have won their last three home matches against Real, scoring 8 and conceding 0
- Real Madrid haven’t scored on their last three visits to the Nou Camp
- Real Madrid are unbeaten in 18 league games, Barcelona are unbeaten in 11
- Barcelona have the second best defensive home record in Europe’s top five leagues (behind only Bayern Munich)
- Real Madrid are the highest scoring away team in Europe’s top five league
