Real Madrid vs Barcelona prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-04-20 19:00.
[p]Contrasting fortunes in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals provide just one backdrop to the final âEl ClĂĄsicoâ of the season as Real Madrid know a win over great rivals Barcelona would all but end the latterâs hopes of catching them atop La Liga. With their beloved club leading by eight points in La Liga, and having just seen off Manchester City to reach the UCL semi-finals, the BernabĂ©u crowd will be bouncing during the 257th competitive H2H.[/p]
[p]On the back of four consecutive La Liga wins here âto nilâ while scoring an average of 2.75 goals per game, Los Blancos have every right to feel confident, especially after winning three of the last four home league H2Hs (L1). Fans will also have been heartened when Carlo Ancelotti revealed the squad had âno physical problemsâ following Wednesdayâs gruelling penalty shootout win over Man City.[/p]
[p]Barcelona have had an extra day to prepare after Tuesdayâs 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain which left manager Xavi furious with the refereeing, which he described as a âdisasterâ. Now forced to focus solely on their faltering title defence, they bring a ten-match unbeaten La Liga streak to the BernabĂ©u (W8, D2) with it now being six league games since their defence was breached (W5, D1).[/p]
[p]Los Blaugranas well know the threat Madrid pose, especially after they were hammered 4-1 by them in the Supercopa final in January and three of the last four league meetings here (W1, L3) saw them concede at least twice. With this set to be Xaviâs last derby in charge, a win would see him depart with an even managerial H2H against Barcelonaâs great rivals (W4, L5).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: After scoring inside the opening 15 minutes of both games against Man City, Madrid’s Rodrygo has been dangerous early on, yet he also completed the scoring in the Supercopa final. Barcelonaâs hopes of a good start may rest with JoĂŁo FĂ©lix, who opened the scoring before half-time in both of their last two league away outings.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: There were goals scored in both halves in each of the last seven La Liga H2Hs (Madrid: W5, L2).[/p]