Real Madrid v Barcelona – Copa del Rey El Clasico Preview

Betting Tips | Article posted on January 28th, 2025

When Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in Real Madrid’s routine demolition of Getafe at the weekend, the Portugese must have thought he had sent out a pretty resolute reminder to Lionel Messi that the Argentine may have won the Ballon d’Or, but can’t expect to have things all his own way in La Liga. Twenty four hours letter, Messi had almost inevitably upstaged the Real forward once again, as the Barca number ten scored four in their 5-1 win over Osasuna.

With attention now turning to the mid-week Copa del Rey clash between Spain’s two biggest clubs at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ronaldo once again has the opportunity to attempt to upstage a player who has continually done precisely that to him during his Real Madrid sojourn. With Barca heavily odds on to win the title this season, this cup tie constitutes Real’s last opportunity for significant Spanish silverware this season, even if it will be scant consolation for missing out on La Liga. The potential of another Champions League El Clasico will also dangle invitingly should both teams see off their opponents in the last sixteen.

Barca had the luxury of resting the likes of Alba, Fabregas and Iniesta for the Osasuna game, and all three will be expected to return here. Gerard Pique will also return after serving a one match suspension. Real are likely to make a few changes also to the team that triumphed on Sunday, with Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira likely to play from the start.

Real Madrid (possible 4-2-3-1): Adan; Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos, Coentrao; Khedira, Alonso; Di Maria, Modric, Ronaldo; Higuain

Barcelona (possible 4-3-3): Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Pedro, Messi, Iniesta

Betting Prediction: These two sides have both looked more proficient in attack than defensively this season, and though the combatants in El Clasico fixtures tend to be a bit a pensive at the beginning, the attacking prowess on show usually ensures goals. Despite Mourinho’s overall record against Barcelona in his time as Madrid coach being pretty poor, it has improved recently, and while they have hardly got the measure of the Catalan giants, it is reasonable to expect a close fixture, despite Madrid’s fifteen point league deficit.

Help Keep These Tips & Guides Free - Click A Link Below Help Keep These Tips & Guides Free - Click A Link Above

So I have three tips for this fixture:

(1) My first tip is for there to be more than 2.5 goals. This seems a pretty safe bet given the quality of attackers, and the fact that both teams have looked defensively vulnerable at times this campaign.

(2) My correct score prediction for this match is for an entertaining 2-2 draw. Obviously El Clasico fixtures are very tough to call, but I feel Madrid are very difficult to beat on their home turf, while the Madrid defence will have a lot on their plate trying to cope with Messi. A high scoring draw seems a good punt.

(3) If you fancy a punt on an unusual market, I definitely wouldn’t bet against there being a red card at some point during this fixture.

Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)