Barça desperate to end bad run heading to El Clasico
by Constance Rigot |
Betting tips
Heading to the game on the back of their exit from the UEFA Champions League is not what Barcelona would have wished for but again they can give a statement with win in Madrid, which would see them rise to the top of the La Liga table. Barcelona faces a Real Madrid side with the best home record, being the only unbeaten team at home in La Liga, and at a time their hosts are straight from a big win over Bayern Munich. On the flip side the match comes at a point when Barcelona are smarting from being dumped out of the Champions League by Juventus. Real Madrid are 12 matches unbeaten and will definitely be the more confident, taking on a Barcelona side that has just two wins in the last five matches.
The two sides have met 61 times in history with Real Madrid picking 18 wins and Barcelona 26 but playing away from home against the big boys has not been Barcelona’s best experience in the season as they have picked huge losses on the road, against Manchester City, PSG as well as Juventus. That added to the fact that they are three points below Real Madrid in La Liga gives the statement over their confidence. A highlight of Barcelona’s season is that manager Luis Enrique has already declared he will leave at the end of the season and the team doesn’t look to be in the same shape they were in the last time they toured Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, in November 2015, and thumped Real Madrid 4 – 0.
Barça have lost three matches away from home in La Liga this season but their current run of only two wins in the last five matches makes it their worst run this season and the fact that their star player, Neymar is out on a three match ban worsens matters for the Catalans. The Catalans will rue the missed opportunity to close in on Real Madrid with the 0 – 2 loss to Malaga and though the club will be appealing the red card shown to Neymar, it is highly unlikely the Brazilian will be cleared for El Clasico.
Real Madrid have a game in hand and are three points ahead of Barcelona in La Liga and they know they can use their edge to put the league race to bed. They have scored 40 goals in 16 outings at Bernabeu and taking on a Barca side that has been frail defensively will have the European champions rubbing their hands in glee. While Barcelona will miss Neymar, the game comes too soon for Real Madrid defensive duo of Pepe and Raphael Varane while Gareth Bale remains a concern. In the last 10 Clasico matches, only two have ended with under 2.5 goals, both 1 – 1 draws and regardless of the result in this clash, there will be entertainment served full plate.
