Real Madrid v Barcelona Betting Preview – La Liga 23rd April 7.45pm
It is El Clasico time once more and this is a title showdown for all intents and purposes. Real Madrid have a three-point lead at the top of La Liga over Barcelona and they have a game in hand over them, as well. So they will want to avoid defeat at all costs in this one as they meet up on Sunday. Can Barcelona produce something special as they last season when they won 4-0 at the Estadio Santiago?
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Real Madrid v Barcelona Betting Tips
This is probably going to be the defining moment in the race for the title in Spain. Real Madrid are in the driving seat because they hold a three points advantage over Barcelona and have a game in hand, so if they open up a six-point lead at this stage with a win, it’s hard to see them letting that slip. Real Madrid have suffered just the two defeats in their last six El Clásico games at Santiago Bernabéu (W3 D1 – all competitions) – the last one ended in a 4-0 win for them. They are unbeaten in their last two La Liga games against Barcelona (W1 D1) which is actually their best run against them since March 2013. Earlier in the league this season this campaign, the two giants played out a 1-1 draw. At home in La Liga this term, Real Madrid have gone W12 D4 L0 and they have averaged 2.5 goals per game.
You have a small price of 4/11 on this one going over 2.5 goals and 75% of real Madrid’s home games this season have gone over that goal line. Real Madrid have scored in each of their last 43 league home games now but then again they have conceded in each of their last 22 games against Barcelona in all competitions. Both teams to score at Bet365 is a quote of 4/11 and up in the correct score market, the 1-1 draw is the shortest priced option at 15/2 followed by a 2-1 win for Real Madrid at 17/2. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 16 goals in El Clásico matches across all competition and he fired off a Champions League hat-trick against Bayern Munich in midweek. Ronaldo is running at 8/13 in the anytime goalscorer market, but CR7 has only scored five goals in his 12 El Clásico games at Santiago Bernabéu, three of them from penalties (all comps). Karim Benzema has scored five goals in his last five El Clásico games at Santiago Bernabéú in La Liga and is 10/11 to net.
Barcelona have to win this game. Their title hopes are already faint and if they don’t win this one then that will likely go down the drain. Barcelona have produced a W10 D3 L3 out on the road in the Spanish top flight this season, but they have been wobbling lately. Barcelona have suffered two defeats in their last three league away games, having gone down against Deportivo and Malaga recently. So they have only themselves to blame if they miss out on the title and with a Champions League quarter-final exit, it’s not been good enough from them this season and they will be missing Neymar for this one because of suspension. Barcelona did win their last league visit to the Bernabeu and they will need their big guns firing to repeat that. Lionel Messi is a 10/11 Bet365 anytime goalscorer option with Luis Suarez at even money. Lionel Messi has won more points with his goals than any other player in La Liga this season (17 points with 29 goals). Suarez has four league goals against Madrid since his move to Barcelona in 2014/15. Barcelona have scored 70% of their goals thanks to their strikers, the highest percentage of any team in La Liga this season.
Real Madrid v Barcelona Betting Odds
Real Madrid 11/10, Barcelona 2/1, Draw 3/1
Real Madrid v Barcelona Predictions
Draw: Real Madrid just need to stick in there for a draw in this heavyweight showdown at the top of the table. Barcelona have lost their last two away games in all competitions, showing defensive frailties and Madrid can hold them at bay.
