Real Madrid v Barcelona Betting Tip Draw – 23 December 2017

Share of spoils likely in El Clasico

La Liga Betting Tips

Saturday 23rd December 2017 Kick off 1200 Real Madrid v Barcelona Football – Spain – Primera Liga It’s been the biggest and most attractive game in world football for a number of years and El Clasico returns to our screens for the first time in the 2017/18 Primera Liga season. The two giants have already clashed in the Spanish Super Cup when Real ran out very comfortable winners. It’s Barcelona who have pulled ahead in the league, however, and no matter what happens at the Bernabeu on Saturday lunchtime it will be at least eight points that separate the two going into Christmas. That is a sizeable advantage and whilst there are other teams between them at the moment, if Barcelona do manage to win then it virtually looks all but over and the title would be heading back to the Nou Camp barring a disaster.

Real Madrid slipped further behind their arch rivals in the title race last weekend as they were competing in the World Club Championship. Zinedine Zidane’s men were recording yet more history as the 1-0 win over Brazilian side Gremio seen them win the competition for the second year running – the first ever team to do that. It’s another in a long line of achievements that Real have ticked off under Zidane but that will help them little as they prepare for a game that is make or break in terms of their title defence. Currently fourth in La Liga, the champions have stuttered and staggered throughout this campaign which is why they find themselves in fourth spot and 11 points behind their weekend opponents. An indication of their inconsistency in the league has been the fact that Real have managed to win two ore more games in a row on just one occasion. That’s a damning indictment of a team who swept virtually all before them the previous season and whilst many suggest that they will grow stronger as the season goes on, lose on Saturday and they are virtually out of the title race before the New Year.

When Luis Enrique called time on his reign as Barcelona manager, there were a number of suggestions thrown about as his potential replacement. Only one man really ticked all the boxes that the club’s board were aiming for, though, and that was Ernesto Valverde. Having played with the club (albeit briefly) he knew what the ethos was all about and his ability to coach and develop young players was also seen as a massive advantage, as was his philosophy on the game – both of which he honed during his time as Atheltic Bilbao manager. He may not have been the superstar name but when you think about Barcelona’s recent managers, they have rarely been that – not when they have been given job, at least. The naysayers are now beginning to eat their words as well as Barca’s ascent to the top of the table has been relentless for the most part. Their 16 league games have seen them win 13 and lose none, score 42 goals and concede only seven. And it’s that last number, perhaps, that is the most telling. Barcelona teams rarely have trouble scoring goals but they have been poor defensively so the fact they have the joint best defensive record is a real improvement on past seasons, and it should stand them in good stead for these big encounters.

There has been a doubt over the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo all week after the Real Madrid talisman picked up a knock in the win over Gremio. Whilst he has not been at his best in terms of goal scoring in the league, he is the ultimate big game player and his presence alone is enough to bring out the best in his own teammates, whilst ensure that his opponents have to be on guard at every moment. He may well be joined in the starting line up by Gareth Bale – something that has rarely happened over the last 18 months. Although he is still finding his way back, the situation that Real find themselves in may mean they call upon all their big name players they can to narrow the gap between themselves and Barca.

There is a noticeable difference in how Barcelona approach games on their travels than they have done under previous managers. It would usually be the case that they played every game the same no matter whether it was home or away, or even the opponent they were playing. Valverde appears to be a more pragmatic coach in that sense and that is illustrated by the fact they have scored 12 fewer goals away from home, but interestingly they have conceded one fewer. Keeping more clean sheets so they do not always have to score two, three and four goals to win games is the attitude now and it seems to be working.

Real Madrid v Barcelona Betting Tip

The lunchtime kick off is a strange one for this fixture as we’re so used to seeing the stars take the field under the lights at a prime time viewing for most of Europe. Even though football is changing (well the television that carries it) the stars remain the same and we can expect two of Europe’s best to take each other on. The battle between Ronaldo and Messi alone is worth clearing your plans for Saturday and sitting back to enjoy.

Real have already dropped points to Valencia, Betis and Levante at home this season, but those games were earlier in the season and since losing to Betis they have won five successive league games at the Bernabeu, keeping clean sheets in four of those. The last game against Sevilla was them at their devastating best as they rattled five without answer. Barcelona will be an altogether sterner examination though and the current league leaders came through a tricky game in their last away outing when defeating Villareal 2-0. Two of their three draws have come away from home though against Atletico and Valencia – the two teams who are below them in the table just now. A draw would not be a bad result whatsoever for them in this one either and I think that’s the most likely outcome.

Draw 3/1 @ Betvictor