Real Madrid vs Barcelona Betting Preview

Date & time: Saturday, 23 December @12:00 PM GMT

Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid)

Head to head record

Real Madrid vs Barcelona 2-0 (2017 Spanish Super Cup)

Barcelona vs Real Madrid 1-3 (2017 Spanish Super Cup)

Real Madrid vs Barcelona 2-3 (2017 International Champions Cup)

Real Madrid vs Barcelona 2-3 (2016/2017 La Liga)

Barcelona vs Real Madrid 1-1 (2016/2017 La Liga)

Real Madrid vs Barcelona prediction

Real Madrid will be aiming to melt Barcelona’s advantage in La Liga standings to eight points when the two teams face each other in “el Clasico” at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos face a must-win situation in Saturday’s derby, but beating Leo Messi and Co. is easier said than done.

All-out attack

Real Madrid have already dropped a number of points in the first half of the season and, as a result, they sit in fourth position in the La Liga standings ahead of the visit of their bitter rivals Barcelona. Los Blancos are 11 points behind Barca in the table, but it has to be noted that they have one game in hand. Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid defend their FIFA Club World Cup trophy and all eyes will be on the Portuguese superstar when Zinedine Zidane’s charges face the Catalan giants in “El Clasico”. The French tactician has almost a full squad to choose from and, no doubt, the capital club will go all guns blazing at Barcelona in Saturday’s showdown at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid are a real force to be reckoned with at home and you should know that they are eyeing their sixth consecutive home win in the national championship.

Cristiano Ronaldo should recover from a minor injury and he is likely to start the match. Coach Zinedine Zidane is likely to field the best possible side against Barcelona.

A win for the title

Despite the fact that Barcelona chiefs were forced to sell Brazilian ace Neymar in the summer transfer window, Barcelona are on the right track to win the La Liga title. Barca are leading the chase for the domestic trophy and they head into Saturday’s clash against Real Madrid following a routine 4-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna. Leo Messi missed a number of clear-cut chances to score in the triumph over the Galician outfit, but he is likely to pose a big threat for the opposition back-line in “El Clasico”. Luis Suarez has found his best form of late and the Uruguay international is going to lead the attack for the visitors against los Blancos. Seeing that Barca are 11 points clear of Real Madrid in the La Liga table ahead of the derby a win over the capital club will see the star-studded Catalan side move one step closer to regaining the trophy. Anyhow, the visitors should be happy with one point from the match.

Key defender Samuel Umtiti remains in the recovery room, alongside Rafinha and Ousmane Dembele, but there are no suspended players in the away team.

Interesting Facts

• Over 3.5 goals were scored in three of last four meetings between the two teams
• Leo Messi has netted 14 goals in La Liga so far this season
• Real Madrid are on a five-game winning run at home in La Liga
• Barcelona have yet to suffer a loss in the Spanish top flight this term
• Over 1.5 goals have been scored in each of Barca’s 16 league fixtures

Real Madrid vs Barcelona betting pick

Only a win counts for Real Madrid this time out and given Barcelona’s attacking potential, a real football festival is son the cards. However, seeing that los Blancos want this win more than the Catalan giants, home win should be considered.

Pick: Real Madrid to win

Odds: 11/10