Our soccer expert shares betting tips and previews one of the biggest games in world football as Real Madrid host Barcelona in what could prove to be a decisive game in the race for the La Liga title.

 

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Real Madrid vs Barcelona (Sunday 20:00 UTC)

The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium once again host one of the hallmark matches of club football as Los Blancos welcome Blaugrana for another El Clásico. With seven matches left to go in this La Liga season, it will be critical for the visiting side that they emerge with three points to try and bridge the gap with leaders Real who are currently eight points ahead of 2nd placed Barça.

Both teams were in action in the Champions League midweek, with Madrid scraping through to the semis after a penalty shootout with Man City after play ended 4-4 on aggregate and they now progress to face Bayern Munich. Barcelona was undone 4-1 in the 2nd leg by PSG, meaning they were eliminated 6-4 on aggregate. In domestic affairs, last weekend both sides extended their winning streak in the league to four matches with 1-0 away victories.

Real Madrid met RCD Mallorca away from home last Saturday and prevailed by a final score of 1-0 and Aurelien Tchouameni scored the solitary goal of the match in the Mallorca Son Moix Stadium. The French international has shone since moving from Monaco in the summer of 2022 and has been a regular in the starting eleven at midfield. Carlo Ancelotti will once again be forming his squad for the bout without Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba who are omitted through injury. Total - Match Over 2.5 at 1.568.

City outplayed Madrid once more, with 68% possession and 33 attempts on goal with eight on target but were thwarted by the away team's defensive posture. Rodrygo scored in the 12th minute to bring his tally to five for the UCL and it wasn't until the 76th that Kevin de Bruyne managed to draw the Sky Blues level. However, it was all for nought as the stalemate concluded through extra time as Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin halted penalties by Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic.

 

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However, fans and pundits alike will be scratching their heads wondering how they let the match slip between their fingers. Rodri vented his frustration in a post-match interview by saying '"I saw only one team today, to be honest. They defended and they knew how to suffer, and we know how tough Real Madrid is. But, in my opinion, we should go through, in terms of chances and everything. It’s the trickiness of the competition. They know how to play, congratulations to them."

The victory over Cádiz on the weekend extends Barcelona's great form in the league to ten matches unbeaten, with the latest win compliments of Portuguese international João Félix. The right winger has had a great season and has been essential for the side's efforts this season with ten goals and five assists across all competitions. Currently, he is on loan from Atlético Madrid, though it would be unsurprising if a permanent move was enacted. Alejandro Balde and Gavi will be missed from selection due to injury. Correct Score 3:1 at 13.14.

It was a tragic night for Barça as they dropped out of the coveted UCL, letting all their hard work at the Parc des Princes a week prior evaporate before their eyes. All seemed to be going well as Rapinha scored early on in the 12th minute, though PSG dug deep and took advantage of Ronald Araújo being sent off in the 29th minute. Ultimately, they emerged victorious with goals from Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha and a brace from Kylian Mbappé. The French hitman is now joint top scorer with PSV's Luuk de Jong for this season's UCL Golden Boot. PSG will now progress on to the semis to play Borussia Dortmund.

Manager Xavi was especially frustrated with the referee stating “We are annoyed, the red card marked the tie. We were well organized 11 vs. 11. It completely changed everything. For me, it’s too much to send Araújo off there. The referee was really bad. I told him he was a disaster. He killed the tie. I don’t like speaking about referees, but it has to be said. I don’t understand it. It’s not good going down to 10 players, and from that point on, it’s another game. For as much as we speak about the match, the red card marks everything.' The veteran Barcelona player turned manager will be out of contract this summer.

A tough away fixture beckons for a heartbroken Barcelona side here, and trying to garner three points over Real to make a last-ditch attempt at the La Liga title will be an especially big ask. We can expect plenty of action in front of goal between these eternal rivals.

1x2 1.862 3.93 3.96

 

**Odds are subject to change. Odds accurate as of 10:00 UTC Friday 19th April**

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