Verdict: Barcelona draw no bet
Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Unibet
With all eyes from across Europe falling on the Nou Camp this weekend, Barcelona will welcome Real Madrid to Catalonia.
Barcelona
Starting with the hosts, while Barcelona might have come under more scrutiny for their Europa League exit at the hands of Manchester United last month, Xavi’s side are in the midst of a remarkable domestic flurry. Although the Spanish heavyweights might be dealing with a string of issues behind the scenes in Catalonia, they are breezing towards a first La Liga crown since back in 2019. Last seen putting in another professional display as they claimed a 1-0 victory away at Athletic Bilbao, Sunday’s hosts open this weekend’s fixtures holding a commanding nine-point buffer over their arch-rivals. Continuing to gain a reputation for their defensive steel this season, Xavi’s men will also be boosted by their eye-catching trip to the capital back on March 2nd. Picking up a Copa del Rey first-leg advantage as they claimed a 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu, Barcelona will be seeking a repeat display here.
Team News
Barcelona will once again be unable to call upon the duo of Ousmane Dembele and Pedri here. However, in what will be a major boost for Barcelona, they will be able to welcome back defensive star Ronald Araujo after the 24-year-old served a one-match suspension.
Although Robert Lewandowski might have drawn a blank on his return from injury last weekend, the ex-Bayern Munich ace will lead Xavi’s charge on Sunday night.
Real Madrid
As for the visitors, although Real Madrid might have endured a minor blip when opening March, Los Blancos did lay down another Champions League marker in midweek. Clinching a second-leg 1-0 win on home soil against Premier League giants Liverpool a few days ago, Carlo Ancelotti’s punched their quarter-final ticket with a stellar 6-2 aggregate romp. However, while the former AC Milan boss might have seen his side claim back-to-back victories over the past week, the reigning Spanish champions are seeking a La Liga miracle if they are to defend their domestic crown in 2023. Making the trip to Catalonia on Sunday night sat nine points adrift of their historic rivals, Madrid should also be concerned by their recent struggles against Barca. Including a 3-1 drumming in the Spanish Super Cup on January 15th, it should be noted that Los Blancos have lost three of their last four domestic showdowns against the runaway leaders.
Team News
Still dealing with a hamstring injury that he picked up at Anfield last month, Austrian international David Alaba will once again miss out on Sunday night. Having to settle for a spot on the bench in midweek, 23-year-old Aurelien Tchouameni will be hoping for a full recall here.
Finding the net while on Champions League duties earlier in the week, attacking talisman Karim Benzema will spearhead Real Madrid’s charge in Catalonia.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides last met back on March 2nd for their Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg, Barcelona picked up a 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu.
- Including their Spanish Super Cup success against Los Blancos on January 15th, Barca have won three of their last four domestic meetings against Real Madrid.
- Real Madrid have managed to win just a trio of their last seven La Liga appearances on the road.
- 10 of the last 11 La Liga meetings between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Catalonia have finished with both teams finding the net.
- Barcelona have collected 31 points from their last 11 La Liga matchups at the Nou Camp.
Conclusion
After breezing their way to a Champions League quarter-final ticket in midweek, Real Madrid will be more than aware that they face a season-defining showdown here. Making the trip to Catalonia on Sunday night chasing a nine-point deficit, another loss at the Nou Camp could be the final nail in their La Liga coffin. Knowing that they need a minor miracle if they are to defend their title this season, Los Blancos should also be worried by their recent struggles against Barca. Suffering a 1-0 loss when they welcomed Xavi’s side to the capital for a Copa del Rey meeting on February 26th, it should be noted that Sunday’s hosts have won three of their previous four showdowns.
Verdict: Barcelona draw no bet
Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Unibet