Prediction: Barcelona vs Real Madrid

28th November 2010

All eyes will be on Camp Nou Monday evening, where Barcelona will play host to bitter rivals Real Madrid in one of the most highly anticipated El Clasicos ever. This will be much more than just a football match for both sides and their fans, but first and foremost we should see an enthralling encounter between two high-flying teams.

It’s been a while since Barca entered El Clasico from the second place in the standings, so the Catalans are bound to feel some pressure, but after five straight victories in which the team scored no less than 22 goals, the players can be forgiven for being extremely high on confidence. Unlike unbeaten Real Madrid, Barca have recorded two defeats so far but they also won almost every other game this term quite convincingly and that gives them reason for confidence before the match with Real. The attacking trio of Messi, Villa and Pedro works like a charm at the moment and they are going to seriously test Real’s unbeaten run, obviously with help from midfield maestros Xavi and Iniesta, with Sergio Busquets doing the dirty work in front of the back four. Barca haven’t played a lot of big matches this season, so this is going to be a big test for them, but if anyone can beat Real Madrid this season, it is Barcelona. Pep Guardiola will have almost full squad to choose from, with Gaby Millito the only player on the sidelines.

Jose Mourinho showed just what a little bit of discipline and hard work can do after taking charge of Real, who clearly look like a different team this season. The Portuguese coach was, however, given an excellent squad to work with after Florentino Perez had bought Ozil, Khedira, Di Maria and Carvalho among others, but he, nonetheless, have to be given credit for turning traditional underachievers into one of the best sides on the continent. The Cristiano Ronaldo effect shouldn’t be taken lightly as his magnificent showings definitely helped Real dislodge Barca from the top of La Liga. Los Merengues had no problems winning those small games this term but all that hard work will go to waste unless they take at least one point from Camp Nou. Jose Mourinho doesn’t have too many selection problems since Sami Khedira and Gonzalo Higuain should return to the side, but Kaka and Gago remain sidelined.

Conclusion

Both teams have been pretty impressive this season, but while Barca remain the team to beat, Real Madrid haven’t convinced me they can end Barca’s domestic domination and it is for that reason I will back the hosts here. There is no doubt this will be a very tight game but I believe Barcelona will sneak a victory and return to the top of La Liga.

Verdict: Home win Barcelona (1)

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: William Hill