The first El Clasico of La Liga takes place on Saturday afternoon as bitter rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona do battle at the Santiago Bernabeu. This match is always a massive occasion, regardless of where the teams are in the league but with both competing at the top of the table for so long, this match has also been a title decider in recent years. This season, the pressure is on Real Madrid as they currently sit 11 points adrift of Barcelona and occupy fourth place in the league. Barcelona will start the game top of La Liga and know a point would be a good result.
Spanish La Liga – Real Madrid v FC Barcelona – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid – Saturday 23th December 2017 – 12:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 14/5 at Ladbrokes |
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Real Madrid
FC BarcelonaReal Madrid Form
Real Madrid return to La Liga action this week following their trip to play in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Los Blanco won the tournament but it means they have been travelling and missed a La Liga game, which has seen them fall even further behind in the league table. Prior to their trip to the UAE, Real Madrid were on a 5-match unbeaten run in La Liga and seemed to have found something like their old form. Zinedine Zidane’s team have lost 1 of their last 10 league games but have been held in 2 of their last 4, all be it away from home. Having made a poor start to their home league campaign this season, Real Madrid have won their last 5 home La Liga games and have scored an average of 3.2 goals across those 5 matches.
Barcelona Form
While Real Madrid were busy winning the FIFA Club World Cup, Barcelona were happy to consolidate their position at the top of La Liga with a 4-0 win at home over Deportivo La Coruna. The Catalans are yet to lose a game in all competitions this season and are unbeaten in their last 16 away games in all competitions. They have also won 9 of their last 11 away matches in La Liga.
While Barcelona have always been renowned for their attacking play, it’s the defence which has stood out this season and they have conceded only 7 goals in 16 La Liga games. Away from home, they have conceded just 3 goals in 8 league games, keeping 5 clean sheets. Looking at the head-to-head record between the teams at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga and Barcelona have won 3 of the last 4, during which there has been at least one red card.
Team News
Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit to start the game despite training away from the group this week. Raphael Varane returns to the defence following injury and will be joined by Sergio Ramos who comes back from a suspension. Casemiro also returns from suspension while Gareth Bale will be hoping to start in attack. Barcelona are still without forward Ousmane Dembele and he has been joined on the treatment table by Samuel Umtiti, Paco Alcacer and Gerard Deulofeu. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will start up-front.
Real Madrid v FC Barcelona – Odds and Predictions
While Real Madrid have returned to winning ways in recent weeks, Barcelona will head to the Spanish capital full of confidence and know even a point will be a great result for them. The Draw No Bet is 6/5 with Ladbrokes. Both teams have shown their strength at the back but these games rarely finish goalless and we should see chances at both ends of the pitch. The draw and both teams to score is 14/5 with Ladbrokes.
Top Betting Tips Real Madrid v FC Barcelona
Three of the last four matches between the teams at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga have seen a red card, with all three coming the way of the hosts. If things start going against them, there is every chance another home player will receive their marching orders. A Real Madrid sending off is 16/5 with BetFred.