Real Madrid vs Barcelona prediction: SPAIN: Super Cup betting tips on match 2024-01-13 19:00.
The stage is set for the first El Clásico of 2024 with Real Madrid meeting Barcelona as the Spanish Super Cup final pits together the two sides that have won this tournament most often (Barcelona 14, Madrid 12). It’s also a repeat of last year’s final, which Barcelona won 3-1 as Xavi claimed his first trophy since taking over as manager.
Both sides won their semi-finals by a two-goal margin, but Madrid were pushed much harder as they needed extra-time before winning a thriller with city rivals Atlético 5-3 to make it 20 matches unbeaten in all competitions (W17, D3). After they trailed 1-0 and 3-2, manager Carlo Ancelotti attributed yet another famous comeback to “pure Real Madrid DNA”.
Raising themselves to take on fierce rivals Barcelona is also part of Madrid’s make-up as they look to complete three straight H2H wins for the first time since January 2022. As their defeat in last season’s Super Cup final was their first H2H loss in this competition since August 2012 (W4), Los Blancos should be confident as they head to Riyadh’s KSU Stadium.
But Barcelona won’t be bowed given they’re on a five-match unbeaten run of their own (W4, D1) after beating Osasuna 2-0 in their semi-final. Losing Raphinha to injury was a blow, and he joins several others on the sidelines although with Pedri fit again, Xavi has options, including 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who impressed after replacing Raphinha.
After becoming the competition’s youngest-ever goalscorer, the teenager will likely be involved in some capacity as the Blaugrana bid for four consecutive Super Cup match wins, while also trying to end that two-game losing H2H streak. Despite calling Madrid a “superteam”, Xavi remains confident, urging his players to “let our DNA be seen more than ever”.
Key battle: Madrid centre-back Antonio Rüdiger netted for both teams in the semi-final, but he’s now scored his side’s opener in two of their last three matches. He’ll also need to keep Robert Lewandowski quiet after the Pole netted after the break in both of Barcelona’s last two games, and just before half-time in last year’s final.
Hot streak: None of the last 11 H2Hs were goalless at half-time (Madrid: W7, L4).