Real Madrid v Barcelona – El Clasico Part II Preview and Betting Tip
After Real Madrid’s seismic victory in the Nou Camp just days ago, arguably the most bitter and passionate rivalry in European football will be played out for the second time this week, this time at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu home. If the Copa del Rey is considered somewhat less important than La Liga in Spain, then it must also be said that ironically this is the less important meeting of the two, as Barcelona are romping away with the La Liga title, Real have already conceded it, and will have the secondary consideration throughout the build-up and aftermath of preparing for the critical second-leg of their Champions League tie against Manchester United.
Thus, both sides will consider changes for this fixture, with Real likely to bring in a few fringe players in order to rest those who will be given a starting berth against United. The likes of Essien, Kaka and Benzema are likely to start, although it is hard to see Ronaldo not featuring in the first eleven. Barcelona may make changes as well. It is possible that changes may be made at the back, but more likely is a re-jigging in midfield, with David Villa selected to start alongside Messi.
Real Madrid (possible 4-2-3-1): Lopez; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao; Essien, Alonso; Kaka, Modric, Ronaldo; Benzema
Barcelona (possible 4-3-2-1): Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Pedro, Villa; Messi
Betting Prediction: This will be an intriguing Clasico not least because of Real’s emphatic win at the Nou Camp just days ago. It is, of course, a very rare scenario for Barcelona and Real Madrid to meet twice within a matter of days, and this one is doubly rare, as it is kicking off at the unheralded hour – for Spanish football – of 3pm, meaning that it cannot legally be broadcast live in England due to regulations relating to fixtures clashing with Saturday afternoon football.
In addition, rarely in recent years has a Barcelona team had to go into a game licking such open wounds, after pretty much everything that could have gone wrong did go awry in their previous meeting. The defensive frailties of Barcelona would have been particularly worrying for the Barca hierarchy, and there is no doubt that the team is playing a rather uninspired form of tiqui-taca at the moment.
Another factor to take into consideration with this fixture is the fact that Real Madrid are already effectively out of the title race, and have a huge game on Tuesday evening against Manchester United. While this could lead to Mourinho making a few changes, it’s hard to imagine a seriously weak or unmotivated Real Madrid team taking to the field for a fixture against their great rivals.
Nonetheless, having correctly predicted that Real would win in the Nou Camp, I am going to go against the grain and predict a Barca victory here. Clearly there is more on the line for the away side, and Real will have one eye on the Champions League. I would also take the over 2.5 goal bet, as these two will definitely both go for the jugular from the first whistle.
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