Prediction: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Verdict: Real Madrid win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

With all eyes falling on the Spanish capital this weekend, Real Madrid will welcome arch-rivals Barcelona to the Bernabeu on Sunday night.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, while Real Madrid might have come under a huge amount of scrutiny last season, Los Blancos are enjoying another history-making run this time around. Making a major Champions League statement earlier in the week as they edged past defending champions Manchester City and booked their semi-final spot, Carlo Ancelotti’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Cruising their way to another domestic crown and opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a commanding eight-point buffer at the top of the La Liga table, Madrid are riding a stellar wave of momentum. Looking to get one over on their arch-rivals here, the former AC Milan boss has not seen his squad suffer a single defeat from any of their previous 16 straight appearances across all competitions. Likewise, Los Blancos have also not tasted a single defeat at the Bernabeu so far this season.

Team News

While the duo of Dani Cavajal and Vinicius Junior might have picked up respective late knocks away in Manchester on Wednesday night, both are expected to feature here. However, still dealing with a long-term knee injury and not set to feature for the reminder of the season, David Alaba remains on the sidelines.

Bagging a fifth Champions League strike of the season away at the Etihad in midweek and continuing to shine since returning from March’s international break, the red-hot Rodrygo will play a leading role here. After serving a European suspension earlier in the week, Aurelien Tchouameni is free to return here.

Barcelona

As for the visitors, while Los Blancos might have clinched a Champions League semi-final ticket in midweek, Barcelona suffered a major European collapse on home soil. Eventually slumping to an infamous 4-1 drumming at the hands of PSG in Catalonia, many are wondering if Xavi’s men will show any signs of a hangover here. Although the defending Spanish champions might be unbeaten in all of their previous 10 consecutive La Liga appearances, they will certainly be worried by their nightmare recent record against Madrid. Hit with a 4-1 drumming when they met their historic rivals in this season’s Super Cup final on January 14th, they have lost all of their previous three competitive battles by an aggregate score of 10-2. Although Barca might be more than aware that they face a must-win showdown on Sunday night, they certainly face an uphill battle in the capital.

Team News

Dealing with a long-term knee injury and set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, 19-year-old Gavi will not feature on Sunday night. Likewise, not making a single appearance since the end of January after undergoing surgery on a hamstring issue, Alejandro Balde will not travel to Madrid this weekend.

While the duo of Sergi Roberto and former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen might have served respective European suspensions in midweek, both are free to feature here. Forced to settle for a spot on the bench on Tuesday night, Atletico Madrid loanee Joao Felix could be handed an immediate recall and partner Robert Lewandowski in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Real Madrid and Barcelona met in this season’s Spanish Super Cup final on January 14th, Los Blancos picked up a 4-1 romp in the Middle East.
• Madrid have won all of their previous three domestic meetings against Barca by an aggregate score of 10-2.
• Real Madrid are unbeaten in all of their previous 16 consecutive appearances across all formats.
• Despite their Champions League exit in midweek, Barcelona are unbeaten in all of their last 10 La Liga appearances.
• Brazil international Rodrygo has scored five goals in his previous four appearances for club and country.

Conclusion

Making a major Champions League statement earlier in the week as they edged their way past defending champions Manchester City, Real Madrid will be looking to collect another iconic scalp here. Unbeaten in all of their previous 16 straight appearances across all competitions, Los Blancos will also be excited by a stellar record against their historic rivals. Winning all of their last three competitive meetings against Barca by an aggregate score of 10-2, we are backing a home victory in the Spanish capital.

Verdict: Real Madrid win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet