Verdict: Barcelona win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/1
Bookmaker: Dachbet
With all eyes falling on Catalonia this weekend, Barcelona and arch-rivals Real Madrid will meet for what is a season-defining showdown on Sunday afternoon.
Barcelona
Starting with the hosts, suffering major Champions League heartbreak over in Italy on Tuesday night, Barcelona know that they don’t have any time to feel sorry for themselves. However, despite suffering a major European collapse against Inter Milan as they eventually fell to a 7-6 aggregate defeat, Hansi Flick’s side are still leading the chase at the top of the La Liga table. Getting Sunday’s return to Catalonia underway holding a four-point buffer over Los Blancos, the former Bayern Munich boss is still dreaming of a famous domestic sweep in 2025. Crowned Copa del Rey champions last month following a 3-2 victory against their arch-rivals, Barca will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. Likewise, Flick’s men have won all of their three meetings against Real Madrid this season by an aggregate score of 12-4.
Barcelona Team News
Both missing out away at the San Siro on Tuesday night, Barcelona will once again be unable to call upon the defensive duo of Alejandro Balde and French international Jules Kounde. Making a cameo appearance off the bench in Milan, Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski could make a first start since April 19th.
Recording 32 goals across all competitions this season and regarded as a leading Ballon d’Or contender, former Leeds ace Raphinha will play a leading role. One-time Manchester City youngster Eric Garcia will once again be deployed at right-back.
Real Madrid
As for the visitors, while an official decision might still not have been announced, it appears almost certain that Carlo Ancelotti will be leaving the Spanish capital this summer. Despite avoiding what would have been an infamous collapse on home soil last weekend as they dragged themselves to a 3-2 victory against Celta Vigo, Real Madrid have come under a huge amount of scrutiny this season. Watching their Champions League adventure come to a thumping end on April 16th as they suffered a 5-1 aggregate defeat against Arsenal, Los Blancos face the real prospect of ending the 2024/25 campaign without a single piece of silverware to show for their troubles. Travelling to Catalonia on Sunday afternoon sat four points adrift of their arch-rivals, both Ancelotti and Madrid face what is a season-defining showdown here.
Real Madrid Team News
Dealing with what has become another injury crisis over the past few weeks, Real Madrid will travel to Catalonia without the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga. However, despite missing out against Celta Vigo last weekend with an illness, Brazilian international Rodrygo should return to Los Blancos’ squad.
Bagging a La Liga brace at the Bernabeu last week and notching 24 goals in his 30 appearances this season, the red-hot Kylian Mbappe will play a leading role here. Making three consecutive starts for the first time this year, Turkish starlet Arda Guler could keep his spot alongside Mbappe in attack.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid Key Factors to Consider
- When Barcelona and Real Madrid met in the Copa del Rey final on April 26th, Sunday’s hosts collected an action-packed 3-2 victory.
- In fact, Barca have won all of their three meetings across all competitions this season by an aggregate score of 12-4.
- Including their remarkable Champions League exit in midweek, Barcelona
- Los Blancos have recorded just a trio of clean sheets from any of their previous 15 appearances across all competitions.
- French skipper Kylian Mbappe has recorded 24 goals in his 30 La Liga appearances so far this season.
Conclusion
Watching their Champions League dreams come to a sensational end on Tuesday night, Barcelona face what is another season-defining showdown here. Knowing that they can all but officially wrap up this season’s La Liga crown, Flick’s side will be excited by a dominant record against their arch-rivals. Crowned Copa del Rey champions last month following a dramatic 3-2 win, Barca have won all of their three meetings against Real Madrid this season by an aggregate score of 12-4.
Verdict: Barcelona win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/1
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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