El Clasico: The Preview
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The leaders Barcelona await their rivals Real Madrid at Camp Nou stadium. Teams enter the derby in opposite mood as Barca were convincing against Sevilla and Inter, while Real are still struggling and they slipped to seventh position in the league.
Barcelona conceded at least one goal in their last eight Primera games.
We have to start this text with news about Leo Messi. The Spanish champions will be without Lionel Messi for this derby, the first time in eleven years that we will have El Clasico without Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But, no Messi, no problem. This week in the Champions League Barcelona hosted in form Inter and managed to beat them 2-0. It was really good performance by Barcelona and Leo’s absence wasn’t felt at all.
In the championship Barca are top of the league after they beat Sevilla 4-2 last week. It was their first win after four winless matches, so fans are expecting the derby with optimism.
For some time now Barcelona have problems in defense as Ernesto Valverde’s only options are Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique, meaning that Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen will once again be unavailable.
Julen Lopetegui’s position as the manager of Real is in danger and in case of defeat at Camp Nou he could be the former manager. Last weekend Madrid suffered shocking home defeat to Levante. It was fourth consecutive match for Real without win, but at least this time they did score one goal, unlike the previous three matches.
During the week Madrid hosted Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League and finally managed to beat someone. The Czechs were beaten 2-1, but Real will have to show much more if they want to come back home undefeated from Catalonia.
Situation with injuries is getting better in Real as Marcelo completed 90 minutes against Levante last Saturday. Therefore, only important absentee will be Dani Carvajal.
Real are unbeaten in their last three league visits to Camp Nou, but after poor results in previous matches, public does not believe them.
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid Betting Odds and Predictions
This is probably the biggest derby in the world, meaning it is very hard to predict it, but this time I’m taking Barcelona. Simply, Real have too much problems. Yes, I’m aware of the fact that the hosts will be without Leo Messi, but I watched them against Inter and they managed to do more than fine. The odds against the home win are falling, but 2.05 is more than good.
Editor's Pick
Barcelona to win @2.05.
