Barcelona Vs Real Madrid
Wednesday 18th December 2019 – 19:00 Kick-Off
Spanish La Liga
Pick: Over 3.5 Goals
Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: BetVictor
Spanish La Liga Betting at 22Bet
(All betting odds displayed were correct at the time of writing: 16th December 17:50)
Preview: A re-arranged El Clasico will draw audiences from far and wide on Wednesday as the two best teams in Spain so far this season meet at the Camp Nou. Barcelona handed out a 5-1 drubbing in last season’s corresponding fixture; can Real Madrid atone for that humilating defeat?
Barcelona Va Real Madrid Live Stats & Betting Odds
Barcelona Preview – Comforts of Camp Nou to prove decisive?
Not for the first time in La Liga this season, Barcelona (1st – W11 D2 L3, GF43 GA20) produced another poor display away from home to draw 2-2 with Real Sociedad on Saturday. Some extremely clinical finishing from Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez ensured Ernesto Valverde’s men didn’t depart the Basque Country empty handed: in the view of Expected Goals, however, it was a point that was barely deserved after conceding a host of scoring chances (xG: SOC 2.98 – 1.26 BAR).
It has been a common theme throughout 2019/20; Barca churning out some rather insipid performances on their travels. This has not been replicated at the Camp Nou, though. The Catalans have been imperious in front of their own fans thus far, winning all seven said fixtures domestically (by a combined aggregate of 30-9), along with two out of three in the Champions League – the anomaly a goalless draw with Slavia Prague. The latest a 5-2 success against Real Mallorca, with Lionel Messi on target three times.
Their superb home form is the main reason behind Barcelona being priced, and considered in the opinion of most, as firm favourites to claim the spoils in this term’s first meeting between the ‘Big Two’. Bolstering their appeal is a recent head-to-head which shows no defeat in La Liga in the past three seasons (W4 D2), prevailing in both meetings during 2018-19. The Camp Nou clash was especially one-sided as an inspired Luis Suarez bagged a hat-trick in a 5-1 thrashing.
Real Madrid Preview – Unbeaten streak highlights Real resolve?
Having seen their arch nemesis and closest competitor for the La Liga title drop points the previous day, Real Madrid (2nd – W10 D5 L1, GF33 GA12) knew there was an opportunity to usurp their rivals at the top of the table were they to clinch victory away to Valencia on Sunday. What transpired however was an end-to-end match, packed full of quality scoring opportunities created by both sides that ultimately ended in the fairest possibleoutcome: a share of the spoils (xG: VAL 2.27 – 2.35 RMA).
An opportunity spurned or a point gained? Karim Benzema would net the equaliser at the Mestalla with virtually the last kick of the game, so it must surely be the latter. The nature of that encounter, with it finishing in sheer relief, probably means Real approach this clash with renewed optimism. However, it was another instance of Zidane’s team not quite managing to overcome difficult opposition on their travels: they have now drawn at Atletico Madrid (0-0), Villarreal and, of course, Valencia, but did etch out a narrow win at Sevilla (0-1).
Losing away in Mallorca wasn’t against tough opposition; more along the lines of an aberration. Altogether it gives Los Blancos a rather uninspiring 50% win ratio when away from home this season (W4 D3 L1 in La Liga). Put simply, it doesn’t stack up to Barcelona’s perfect home record. Not that it was ever likely to. Some perspective, however, is needed: prior to the Valencia draw, Real Madrid had won four consecutive away matches in league and Europe. So it isn’t like their away form has been sub-standard.
Barcelona Vs Real Madrid – Key Facts:
- At home in La Liga this season, Barcelona have maintained a perfect record of seven wins from seven – but only one was with a clean sheet.
- In all competitions, Real Madrid are currently on a run of eleven games without losing (W8 D3).
- Four of the past six league meetings were won by Barcelona (W4 D2), who won last season’s home encounter 5-1.
Betting Summary
Potentially we could be set for an exciting El Clasico rich in goals. Barcelona (7/10 Betfair) have been sensational so far this season… when at home. Fortunately for them they are here, with their record at the Camp Nou in La Liga a flawless seven wins from seven matches, scoring at least four goals in all but one. Furthermore, only one of these triumphs were secured whilst keeping a clean sheet, suggesting a clear preference for outscoring their guests.
As for Real Madrid (7/2 Unibet), their odds are that of marginal outsiders. Which is some claim considering Zidane’s team sit alongside Barca having amassed the same number of points. Form wise, they arrive in decent shape with Sunday’s draw in Valencia halting a three-game winning run but also making it eleven in all competitions without defeat (W8 D3). Their standards have dropped on the road, however, winning only half of the time (W4 D3 L1) but have scored in six of them, and on four occasions at least twice.
Recent head-to-head is undeniably a one-sided affair, with Barcelona victorious in four of the previous six league encounters (W4 D2). Six of the Catalan’s seven home wins this season were despite the other team scoring, and so Barcelona & Both Teams to Score is worthy of consideration at 15/8 (Betway).
