Barcelona vs Real Madrid Prediction and Preview – 02/04/16
La Liga preview – Barcelona vs Real Madrid prediction.
Neymar’s international suspension meant he returned early to join the Barcelona squad ahead of El Clasico on Saturday. Messi and Suarez played for their countries on Tuesday night and will arrive back to Spain later in the week. Full-back Jordi Alba picked up an ankle knock while with Spain but is expected to recover for the weekend. It was not such good news for defenders Jeremy Mathieu and Adriano who have been ruled out. There are also doubts surrounding Andre Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakatic who face fitness tests nearer to kick off.
Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos is expected to be fit to face Barcelona and could be joined by Pepe who returns from suspension. Gareth Bale pulled out of the Wales squad to safeguard his suspect calf and is expected to feature on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo was excused international duty in order to concentrate on this massive domestic encounter.
Possible Line-ups
Barcelona 4-3-3 formation: Bravo; Roberto, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Turan; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Real Madrid 4-3-3 formation: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
Statistics
- Barcelona have won 9 drawn 1 and lost 0 of their last 10 matches
- Real Madrid have won 8 drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Barcelona have scored an average of 3.5 goals and conceded an average of 0.8 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Real Madrid have scored an average of 2.7 goals and conceded an average of 0.8 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 9 of Barcelona’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Real Madrid’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Barcelona drew 2-2 with Villarreal last time bringing an end to a run of 12 consecutive league wins. The Catalans have only dropped two points at home this season and only once failed to score two or more goals in Camp Nou which happened against Malaga in the 1-0 victory at the start of the season. Barca have lost once to Real Madrid in the last seven home meetings in La Liga.
Real Madrid are 10 points adrift of their rivals in La Liga and lost 4-0 at home to Barcelona in November. The Galacticos have struggled to match the teams around them in La Liga this season, dropping four points against second-placed Atletico and losing 1-0 at Villarreal who are fourth. Real’s 4-0 victory over Sevilla before the international break was the first time they had kept a clean sheet in La Liga in eight games since the end of January.
Real Madrid have been guilty of leaving too many gaps at the back which Barcelona are well equipped to exploit.
Tips
Barcelona to win at 16/25 with Marathonbet
Over 2.5 goals at 7/19 with 888sport
Barcelona to win 3-1 at 11/1 with BetVictor
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