Barcelona vs Real Madrid Betting Preview

Date & Time: Saturday, December 3, 3:15 PM GMT

Venue: Camp Nou (Barcelona)

Head to head record

Barcelona vs Real Madrid 1-2 (2015/2016 La Liga)
Real Madrid vs Barcelona 0-4 (2015/2016 La Liga)
Barcelona vs Real Madrid 2-1 (2014/2015 La Liga)
Real Madrid vs Barcelona 3-1 (2014/2015 La Liga)
Barcelona vs Real Madrid 1-2 (2014/2015 Copa del Rey)

Barcelona vs Real Madrid prediction

After dropping two points in a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad at the weekend, title holders Barcelona have no other choice but to go all guns blazing at their bitterest rivals Real Madrid in Saturday’s “El Clasico”. Barca are eager to melt Real Madrid’s advantage to three points, but beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. is easier said than done.

Must-win game

Barcelona have been struggling in La Liga of late. Following a goalless draw with Malaga, the Catalan giants shared the spoils with Real Sociedad at Estadio Municipal de Anoeta in their last league game and it has to be noted that the reigning champions were more than fortunate not to suffer a loss to La Real. Barca are desperate to return to winning ways as they are six points behind league leaders Real Madrid in the La Liga standings ahead of Saturday’s “El Clasico”. The MSN trio was rested in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey game against Hercules and, as a result, Luis Enrique’s men played out a 1-1 draw with the Segunda Division team. However, they should be recalled to the starting line-up for the Real Madrid game and that is the main reason why Barca are regarded as favourites to win the derby.

Experienced midfielder Andres Iniesta has overcome his injury and he is pushing for a start, whereas Jordi Alba is a major doubt and he will be assessed on the match day. Arda Turan and Samuel Umtiti both return to contention after missing the Real Sociedad game through injury.

Better results than performances

Real Madrid did defeat Sporting Gijon on Matchday 13, but los Rojiblancos failed to score the equalizer from the penalty spot 15 minutes before the final whistle. Los Blancos somehow extended their winning run in La Liga, but Zinedine Zidane’s troops will have to be at their sharpest if they are to grab something from Saturday’s showdown at “El Clasico”. Cristiano Ronaldo has found his goal-scoring touch of late and, no doubt, all eyes will be on the Portuguese superstar when the two fierce rivcals face each other at Camp Nou. Zidane has some injury worries ahead of the trip to Catalonia, but regardless of which players will be deployed in the starting line-up, the league leaders are likely to adopt a defence-minded approach in “El Clasico”. Real Madrid are six points clear of Barcelona in the La Liga standings, meaning that the visitors will be more than happy with one point from Saturday’s clash.

Casemiro has recovered from his injury and he is likely to play some part in Saturday’s derby. Gareth Bale was rested in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey game against Cultural Leonesa and he should be fit to face Barcelona. Alvaro Morata and Tony Kroos are both likely to miss the game with injury.

Interesting facts

• Over 2.5 goals were scored in previous nine meetings between the two teams
• Leo Messi has netted 21 goals against Real Madrid
• Real Madrid are after their fourth consecutive win on the road in La Liga
• Barca managed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last three home games in the league
• Ronaldo is one penalty away from establishing himself as La Liga’s record scorer from the spot

Barcelona vs Real Madrid betting pick

Luis Enrique rested his first-team regulars in the Copa del Rey game against Hercules and seeing that he is likely to field the best possible side against Real Madrid, I believe that there is a big value in betting on the Catalan giants, who want this win more than their bitter rivals. Los Blancos failed to impress against Sporting Gijon and, taking everything into account, home win appears on the cards.

Pick: Barcelona to win

Odds: -125