Barcelona vs Real Madrid
24 October 1500hrs
Football – Spain – La Liga
Pick Barcelona
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: 21/20 odds taken 2000 GMT, Friday 23 October
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are coming off defeats last weekend making the first El Clasico even more important as the big two look to kick start their seasons.
Table of Contents
Barcelona Preview – Will Koeman enjoy victory in his first El Clasico as a head coach?
For all the off-the-field issues that have been occurring at Barcelona in recent times – including this week – Saturday’s game against their biggest rivals will see the club unite. For 90 minutes at least. It will also be the first time Ronald Koeman is in charge of a Barca team for an El Clasico fixtures and one he will be desperate to win. He left the club as a player in 1995 before a short spell as assistant manager so it will be his first involvement in 20 years in this fixture.
If you had to rate Koeman’s short time in charge then it is probably summarised with promising, but needs to do better.
Real Madrid Preview – Are Real set to show their champion quality after two successive defeats?
It’s hardly been the ideal preparation for Real heading into this high-pressure fixture as they have lost games in La Liga and the Champions League. Both of the games have come at home, as well, which makes it all that more surprising. Cadiz were the first to shock them – winning 1-0 last Saturday – before a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Shahktar Donetsk in midweek. Zinedine Zidane’s men were three goals down at half-time in that game.
In many ways this will be the best possible game for the Spanish champions to attempt to bounce back to form as the motivation will take care of itself.
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With Eden Hazard still missing due to injury and some of the other attacking players not quite hitting their stride yet, it’s been something of a toil for Zidane’s men. Karim Benzema has managed only one goal so far and his contribution was so important last season. As was their captain Sergio Ramos who scored 11 in La Liga.
If Real are to get a win tomorrow then it’s likely going to be led by those two veterans who know what this fixture is all about.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid Betting Advice
These two clubs may not be at the same level as they were a few years ago but it’s still a fixture not to be missed. In what is looking like an increasingly open La Liga, the team which can win this match could really go on a run and put the other under pressure.
Three of the last four El Clasicos have been draws so it’s likely this will be another one where there is little to choose between them.
Key Facts – Barcelona vs Real Madrid Betting Tip
- Koeman suffered a first defeat as Barca boss when losing 1-0 to Getafe last weekend
- Shakhtar Donetsk and Cadiz have already beaten Real this week and they haven’t loss three straight in nearly two years
- The last two El Clasico games at Nou Camp have ended in draws
There will be no shortage of prestigious talents in both teams and it could be one of them make a name for themselves in one of world football’s biggest fixtures.
With the week it’s been for Real coupled with home advantage in their favour, I’m taking Barca to get all three points.
