Finally! Finally, we have a Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona which has – albeit small – an impact on the quest for the La Liga title!
These two sides have had a massive part to play in the shaping of football history and traditions and so it is both right and just that these games don’t just rely on the inherent rivalry of old!
To Win (90 mins)
Real Madrid 27/20
Draw 26/10
Barcelona 19/10
Real Madrid
The narrative of this season’s first El Clasico is somewhat rooted around who between the two Spanish giants, can avoid injury and field as close to a complete side as possible.
For the hosts, keeper Thibaut Courtois possibly missing out will be a huge blow I suspect. There are media reports to suggest that the Belgian international might still be suffering with a back issue…
Nevertheless, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have been brilliant so far this season. They sort of let it slip a little against Osasuna, drawing 1-1, which inevitably opened the door for Barcelona to draw level on points but go to the summit of the league by way of goal difference.
Los Blancos are now unbeaten in eight fixtures at home – their last defeat coming at the hands of Barcelona. We haven’t had an experience of the ‘classic one’ where there is something tangible on the line for a while. Don’t get me wrong, it’s always an encounter full of passion, ability, and history…but while it may only be nine weeks in, it’s a game where these two meet while sitting first and second on the log.
Barcelona
A lot has been made of Barcelona so far this season, and it hasn’t always been positive either. The Catalans are at the summit of the La Liga table, winning seven games in a row after their draw at the beginning of the season.
They have had a bit of a mixed bag start to their Champions League campaign, but all things considered and taken into account I’m not sure this is an area they are looking to be unnecessarily competitive in. Yes, I said it and I’ve done so with my chest!
Barcelona’s attacking threat should be respected, they can ask questions of Madrid’s defence and will likely want to make it an open end-to-end game. Now when you add this to the fact that their defensive record under Xavi has been almost brilliant – conceding just once from open play in La Liga – the feel around the Nou Camp is slightly different to what you might find in the media.
It would be a missed opportunity to speak about Robert Lewandowski, the Polish striker has quite literally continued where he left off with Bayern Munich since he made the switch to Barcelona. He is currently amongst those in the upper echelons with a handful of goals from the eight games.
He has seamlessly fitted in at Barca and I wouldn’t be too quick to judge those looking at placing a wager on him scoring.
Predicted Line-ups:
Prediction: Barcelona/Draw + BTTS (12/10)
I think Barcelona edge this. I think their ability to turn defence into attack at the rate they do will ask questions of this Madrid team – who I suspect might overcompensate defensively if they are without their starting keeper.
At 12/10, I’m all over this, you should be too!
