Verdict: Under 2,5 total goals – yes
Best Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: 888sport
The whole world will set their sights in Spain on Sunday, as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will collide in what will be a pivotal match on the 2019-20 Liga title race. These two football giants will clash on Santiago Bernabeu and the stakes are quite high since these two teams separated by just two points in the standings. Kick-off for this game has been scheduled at 20:00 GMT.
Real Madrid
Los Merengues have not looked good of late, as they are winless in their last three home matches (D2, L1) or their last three games overall (D2, L1 as well). They lost 1-0 on the road at Levante last weekend, but they also endured a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League earlier this week. This run of two straight league games without a win (D1, L1) has seen Zinedine Zidane’s men falling off a cliff in the standings and now they sit in second place with 53 points, after spending most of the campaign sitting at the top. Real Madrid still own the league’s best defence with only 17 goals conceded in 25 league matches, but their attack has been underwhelming with “only” 46 goals scored. That’s a relatively low figure considering the names Real Madrid field upfront on a weekly basis. Can they wake up against Barcelona?
Team News
Zinedine Zidane won’t have three players available for this Clasico match. The biggest one if the loss of Eden Hazard, who might miss the remainder of the season with an ankle injury.
Marco Asensio remains a long-term absentee with a knee problem. Rodrygo is suspended after being sent off in his latest Real Madrid B appearance.
FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona have taken advantage of Real Madrid’s sluggish form of late, and they have moved to the top of the Liga standings following his 5-0 home win over Eibar last weekend, where Lionel Messi scored four goals. Los Blaugranas are currently riding a four-game winning streak at the league level, scoring 12 goals and allowing just four during that impressive winning stretch. These figures have allowed Barcelona to remain at the top of the scoring charts in LaLiga, as Quique Setien’s men currently have the best attack in the league with 62 goals scored in 25 matches – that’s good for an average of 2.48 goals per game. One thing that could conspire against Barcelona in this match is their sluggish away form, though. Los Blaugranas escaped with a 1-1 draw at Napoli earlier this week and, if we focus entirely on LaLiga, they have won just two of their last five away games (W2, D2, L1).
Team News
Barcelona will be without two of their best players, as Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez are both sidelined. The Spanish left-back is dealing with a groin problem, while the Uruguayan is out with a knee problem.
Sergi Roberto (groin) and Ousmane Dembele (thigh) are both out as well. The Frenchman will miss the remainder of the 2019-20 season.
Key Factors to Consider
- Real Madrid and Barcelona have played 180 times in the past. The overall record is tied with 72 wins apiece and 36 draws.
- Los Blaugranas are undefeated in their last seven matches against Real Madrid regardless of the venue. They have picked up four wins and three draws over that span.
- Three of the last four H2H matches have ended with under 2.5 goals. Each of the last three have ended with only one team scoring.
- Headed for a slow start? 10 of Barcelona’s away games in LaLiga this season have produced under 1.5 total goals in the first half this season.
- Lionel Messi is the all-time leading scorer in this Clasico with 26 goals.
Conclusion
The last few matches have seen few goals, and that shouldn’t change here. Barcelona won’t have one of their best strikers, while Real Madrid own the league’s best defensive record. Expect under 2.5 goals here in what’s likely to be a very tight encounter.
Verdict: Under 2,5 total goals – yes
Best Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: 888sport
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