Verdict: Half-Time Score – Away
Best Odds: 2/1
Bookmaker: bet365
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will decide which teams wins the 2017 Spanish Super Cup this Wednesday. Real Madrid have the edge after winning the first leg 3-1 at Camp Nou, but Barcelona know a thing or two about pulling upsets at Santiago Bernabeu so things are far from settled. Kick off time is scheduled for this Wednesday at 9 PM UK.
Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane’s men had a tough start to their domestic season. Even though they defeated Barcelona 3-1 in the first leg of the Super Cup, they will be without Cristiano Ronaldo for the foreseeable future after the Portuguese star received a five-game suspension. But Los Merengues have enough depth to offset the loss of any player, including Ronaldo. They already won against Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup and CR7 only played roughly 10 minutes in that contest, so they have proven to be competent without their star forward. Even if they do not win, it is clear Real Madrid already started their season on top gear just like they finished last year with two wins in equal number of games. And since this will be their debut at Santiago Bernabeu, we can expect them to be extra motivated.
Team News
Real Madrid are almost at full strength ahead of this contest, but they will have to deal with the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo as mentioned above. After shoving the referee in the first leg against Barcelona last week, the Portuguese superstar received a five-game suspension that will keep him out for the first four Liga matches as well.
The loss of Ronaldo means that we will probably see Karim Benzema, Isco and Gareth Bale upfront. Although one positive news is the return of Luka Modric, who missed last week’s contest.
FC Barcelona
On the other hand, it is safe to say that Barcelona did not start the season on a positive note. The departure of Neymar to PSG left a huge void on the squad, and if we take last week’s game against Real Madrid as a reference, then they have done nothing to solve it. There are options to replace the Brazilian – Gerard Deulofeu, Arda Turan, and Denis Suarez are all alternatives – but neither has looked effective during preseason. They signed Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande this past Monday, but they need to do more if they want to challenge Real Madrid both at the domestic and European level. But as of now, manager Ernesto Valverde needs to focus on the upcoming games. And turning around a 1-3 deficit against Real Madrid is not an easy task. They need to score at least three goals to turn things around.
Team News
Valverde will not have many absences for his competitive debut with Los Blaugranas.
The main problem for them will be to improve significantly after losing the first leg 1-3.
Key Factors to Consider
- Both clubs have combined for 21 Super Cup titles. Barcelona have 12, and Real Madrid have nine.
- These two clubs met this past Sunday and Real won 3-1 in Camp Nou, so they have a clear edge on the aggregate score.
- Barcelona and Real Madrid have played 234 times in their history. Madrid have 94 wins, Barcelona have 91, and there have been 49 draws.
- 13 of those games have been in the Spanish Super Cup context. Real have won seven of them, while Barca have won four and there have been two draws.
- Real have won five of the six Super Copa titles against Barcelona. The last time they met was in 2012 and Madrid won by away goals after a 4-4 draw on the aggregate score.
Conclusion
FC Barcelona have to score quickly if they want to have any chance to turn things around. They won’t have Neymar, but Real won’t have Cristiano Ronaldo so both will have important absences.
Considering Barcelona’s disadvantage on the aggregate score and the fact that they need at least three goals to have a shot at turning things around, I expect Los Blaugranas to come out guns blazing. They could easily build a lead during the first half.
Verdict: Half-Time Score – Away
Best Odds: 2/1
Bookmaker: bet365
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