Real Madrid vs Barcelona
It’s one of the great matchups in football and when Real Madrid meet Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday the eyes of the world will be watching.
Okay, it seems like Los Blancos have one hand on the 2022 La Liga trophy and with the Blaugrana 15 points behind in third place, this is not a title decider.
But the Catalans would dearly love to delay Madrid’s celebrations and maybe even cast a seed of doubt in their fans’ minds. But they also want to end a run of five El Clasico defeats.
Barca head coach Xavi has had a rapid effect on the team he served as a player with such distinction, but he knows he’s up against a real master in Carlo Ancelotti.
Both teams come into the game on the back of a big league win, with Real Madrid winning 3-0 away to Mallorca while Barcelona gave Osasuna a 4-0 hiding at the Camp Nou, and this could well be one of the most entertaining El Clasicos in recent history.
Talking Points
Benzema doubtful for Real Madrid
Los Blancos dominance of the La Liga title race has owned much to the 22 league goals of Karim Benzema and if he doesn’t make this game it will even things up a little.
The Frenchman’s availability is in serious doubt as he picked up a calf strain during the trip to Mallorca and is struggling to shake it off.
In his previous absence, Ancelotti found it difficult to plug the gap entirely, trying Marco Asensio and Isco in the attacking role with limited success and a notable drop-off in results.
A quick return to form has seen the La Liga 2022 betting odds fall in behind Real Madrid. But with 10 games to play, Los Blancos are 10 points clear of second-placed Sevilla.
Ancelotti has his one eye on the Champions League so he is unlikely to risk his top scorer unless he is 100-per cent fit. He needs to keep the 34-year-old available for the latter stages of both competitions and so is likely to leave the striking responsibility to 14-goal Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior alongside the ever-reliable Asensio.
Behind the front two, midfield man Luka Modric was outstanding in Real Madrid’s dramatic Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain last week and he is still rolling back the years with top-class performances week after week.
Xavi’s Barcelona are on the up
The Blaugrana have won their last three away games. And since the January transfer window with an impressive set of La Liga 2022 results, they have started to look like a team capable of challenging again with much more firepower in front of goal.
Xavi has restored some pride in the Catalans with recent big wins over Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Napoli, and Athletic Bilbao, scoring four against all of them.
New signing Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has scored five goals in six league games and he looks likely to catch top scorer Memphis Depay who has scored 10 goals in 19 appearances.
The Gabon striker has bagged six in all competitions while the other January recruits from the Premier League have also impressed. Attacking midfielder Ferran Torres has five goals in all competitions while wide-man Adama Traore has made four assists.
The pace of Traore, trickery of Torres, and clinical finishing of Aubameyang makes this an exciting front three.
History
In the last 75 El Clasicos, Barcelona have bossed it with 32 wins to Real Madrid’s 24 and there have been 19 draws. But Los Blancos are clawing their way back with victorious in the last five and with two wins this season.
Back in October, Real had a 2-1 win at the Camp Nou and then in the Super Cup semi-final in January they had an extra time 3-2 victory. Xavi’s Barca were already showing signs of improvement in that encounter and they will back themselves to go one better on Sunday.
The Blaugrana will also be keen to halt Los Blancos’ winning run, which is their best in recent years. The last time either team had a five-match winning run in El Clasico, it was Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona who won five between 2008 and 2010 when Xavi was calling the shots in midfield.
Both teams have won five of the last six, though the Blaugrana are unbeaten while Los Blancos lost their other game during their first leg Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Betting Tip
With the home win at 2.04, Los Blancos have the edge on their own turf while the Blaugrana – at a SBOTOP price of 3.30 – will also believe they have a chance.
The absence of Benzema, unless he makes a surprise appearance, certainly levels things up and I can see Xavi’s Barca continuing their progress.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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