Barcelona vs Real Madrid Betting Preview

Kick off: Saturday, April 2, 19:30 GMT

Venue: Camp Nou (Barcelona)

Head to head record

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 (2013/2014 Copa del Rey)
Real Madrid vs Barcelona 3-4 (2013/2014 La Liga)

Barcelona vs Real Madrid prediction

Real Madrid will be looking to get their revenge on Barcelona for the embarrassing 4-0 loss in the reverse fixture when the two La Liga giants square off against each other in El Clasico on Saturday evening. Barca are on the right track to win the domestic trophy, but a win over los Blancos would see the title holders cement top position in the standings.

A win for the title?

Barcelona clinched the 2014/2015 La Liga trophy without any difficulties and they are eager to defend the domestic title. Barca have been producing outstanding performances in all competitions this season and seeing that they are 10 points clear of their fiercest rivals Real Madrid in La Liga standings, a win in El Clasico would see Luis Enrique’s troops move one step closer to meeting their goal. Barcelona dropped two points in a 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Matchday 30, but it has to be noted that Luis Enrique rested key defender Gerard Pique in the second half of the season. The Catalan giants have been scoring goals for fun in the second half of the season and considering that the reigning champions are on a seven-game winning run at home, it is no surprise they are regarded as favourites to emerge triumphant in Saturday’s clash of the titans.

Gerard Pique is one yellow card away from suspension, but he will start the match. Coach Luis Enrique has no fresh injury worries, but a number of his first-team regulars were on international duty at the weekend. The MSN (Messi, Suarez, Neymar) trio should be deployed up front, while Andres Iniesta returns to the starting line-up after missing the Villarreal game with injury.

Los Blancos hungry for revenge

Real Madrid did remarkably well to crush Sevilla (4-0) in their last league game, with the team melting Barcelona’s advantage in La Liga standings to ten points, but los Blancos need to pick up all three points from Saturday’s El Clasico if they are to keep their hopes of winning the domestic trophy alive. Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. are on a five-game winning run in all competitions, having also beaten Roma in the Champions League, and, no doubt, the Spanish giants head into the Camp Nou showdown full of confidence. Zinedine Zidane’s troops have no other choice but to go all guns blazing at Barca as only a win counts for the visitors this time out, but you should bear in mind that the capital club conceded at least one goal in each of their last seven away matches in La Liga. Anyhow, Real Madrid footballers will give their all to get their revenge on Barcelona for the shocking 4-0 loss at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Sergio Ramos and Pepe both return to contention after missing the Sevilla game through suspension, meaning that Zinedine Zidane has a full squad to choose ahead of Saturday’s derby. James Rodriguez is likely to start from the bench.

Interesting Facts

• Leo Messi is eyeing his 500th career goal against Real Madrid
• Barcelona are after their 13th consecutive win at home
• Over 2.5 goals were scored in last eight meetings between Barca & Real
• Real Madrid scored 15 goals in previous four league matches
• Ronaldo scored in two of last three encounters against Barcelona

Barcelona vs Real Madrid betting pick

Real Madrid are desperate to pick up all three points from the Camp Nou clash and los Blancos are likely to go all-out attack against Barcelona. Zinedine Zidane can count on all of his key attackers for Saturday’s El Clasico and the visitors are likely to score at least one goal in the derby. Given Barca’s impressive home record, both teams to scores bet should be considered this time out.

Pick: Both teams to score

Odds: 2/5