Prediction: Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Verdict: Barcelona draw no bet

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to finish off the job and punch their Copa del Rey final ticket, Barcelona will welcome Real Madrid to the Nou Camp on Wednesday night.

Barcelona

Starting with the hosts, while Barcelona might have endured a major European nightmare this season, the Spanish heavyweights have only continued on a remarkable domestic flurry. Marking their return from the international break with a routine 4-0 romp away at relegation scrappers Elche, the mood in Xavi’s camp should be at a red-hot high. Breezing their way to a first La Liga crown and already holding a remarkable 12-point buffer at the top of the table, Barca also have their sights set on completing a domestic silverware sweep in 2023. Heading into the fortnight interval with a stunning last-gasp 2-1 victory at home against Wednesday’s guests, Xavi’s side will simply be looking to finish off their Copa del Rey job here. Picking up a shock first-leg advantage when they claimed a 1-0 win at the Bernabeu on March 2nd, fans around Catalonia will be calling on a repeat display in midweek.

Team News

All missing out over the weekend, Barcelona will once again be without the quartet of Pedri, Ousmane Dembele, Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen on Wednesday night. However, ex-Leeds forward Raphinha is set to make his return from a one-match suspension.

Bagging a brace in Saturday’s 4-0 romp away at Elche and notching 17 La Liga strikes this season, Robert Lewandowski will spearhead Xavi’s attack at the Nou Camp.

Real Madrid

As for the visitors, while Real Madrid might have marked their return from the international break with their own rampant display, Los Blancos have come under real La Liga scrutiny this season. Despite eventually breezing their way to a 6-0 romp at home against Valladolid a few days ago, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are seeking a domestic miracle in 2023. Now sat 12 points adrift of defending their domestic crown, the one-time Real Madrid boss faces plenty of speculation about his long-term future at the Bernabeu. Suffering a first-leg 1-0 loss when they welcomed their historic rivals to the capital on March 2nd, it should be noted that Madrid have shown some extended inconsistencies on the road this season. Heading into the international break with a stunning 2-1 loss away at the Nou Camp, it is worth highlighting that Ancelotti’s side have won just one of their previous four La Liga appearances away from the Bernabeu.

Team News

In what could be a welcomed boost for Los Blancos on Wednesday night, Real Madrid will be able to welcome back defender Nacho Fernandez after the Spanish international served a one-match suspension. Likewise, Ancelotti is hopeful that Antonio Rudiger will also play some part here.

However, still dealing with a long-term hamstring injury, French defender Ferland Mendy will once again miss out at the Nou Camp in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two Spanish giants met on March 2nd for their Copa del Rey first-leg meeting, Barcelona picked up a 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu.
• Wednesday’s hosts have won each of their last three domestic meetings against Los Blancos by an aggregate score of 6-2.
• Likewise, Barcelona have won five of their last six meetings against Real Madrid across all competitions.
• Xavi’s side are yet to suffer a single domestic defeat at the Nou Camp so far this season.
• Real Madrid have managed to record just a single La Liga victory away from the Bernabeu in their last four attempts.

Conclusion

While Real Madrid might have marked their return from the international break with a routine 6-0 romp against Valladolid, Los Blancos will know that they face another huge challenge here. Sat 12 points adrift of their historic rivals and the chance to defend their domestic crown, Ancelotti’s men should also be worried by their continued struggles against Wednesday’s hosts. Hit with a first-leg 1-0 loss when they welcomed Barcelona to the Bernabeu on March 2nd, Madrid have now lost five of their last six meetings against the runaway Spanish leaders. Likewise, losing each of their last three meetings by an aggregate score of 6-2, we are backing a home draw no bet here.

Verdict: Barcelona draw no bet

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Unibet