FC Barcelona v Real Madrid betting preview 6pm
The first El Clásico of the season takes place on Sunday, with the two heavyweights of Spain locking horns in what is always a feisty encounter. Barcelona finished a full nine points ahead of their rivals last season, scoring an unbelievable 105 goals in the process and they are priced at a shade of odds-on (17/20 bet365) to reclaim top spot in Primera Liga.
Aside from that 2-1 home defeat to Rubin Kazan in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola’s team have been mustard at the Nou Camp this season, winning all five of their league matches on home soil and beating Inter 2-0 on Tuesday to move a step closer to the knockout stages of the Champions League. They were without their star attacking duo of Lionel Messi (6/1 William Hill) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11/2 Blue Square) against the Italian champions, although the pair should return for one of the biggest games of the season. The controversial Thierry Henry is 7/1 (Blue Square) to break the deadlock and put the recent incident with Ireland firmly behind him.
The last time these teams met last May, Barcelona ran riot and won the game 6-2. Coral offer 11/5 that the Catalan club lead at half-time and full-time, although Real might not be such a pushover this time around. Manuel Pellegrini’s team also have a 100% record at home and have won three of their five games on the road. It’s a 10/3 shot (Sky Bet) that they win this match and extend their lead at the top of the table to four points.
The visitors should have the mercurial Cristiano Ronaldo available for this game, with the forward racking up nine goals for his new club before falling foul of injury. The former Manchester United player is 13/2 (Stan James) to make it double figures for the season by opening the scoring, with Karim Benzema an 8/1 poke (Paddy Power) to put Real ahead. Madrid’s other major summer signing was Kaka, with the Brazilian recently claiming that his new team are better than Barca. Bet Fred make him a 10/1 chance that he’s the first name on the scoresheet.
With emotions running high in this game, the form book regularly goes out of the window, with three of the last five matches finishing in a 3-3, 4-1 and 6-2 scoreline. With the quality of attacking players on the pitch, the 4/6 (Stan James) about three or more goals could return a profit, with Boylesports going 13/8 that there are four or more scored. For many players, this will be their first taste of El Clásico and two bookmakers have created odds for anyone scoring two or more goals. British football fans will know all about Cristiano Ronaldo’s ability to score and he’s 10/1 (Blue Square) to bag a brace or better.
It’s also worth noting that a penalty has been scored in three of the last seven matches between Real and Barcelona, with Paddy Power offering 4/1 that Barca score from the spot and 13/2 that Real are successful from twelve yards.
Posted: 30/11/09