1st of 2 El Clasico’s this week and we have a cup tie with all to play for at the Bernabeu as Real Madrid host Barcelona for a place in the Copa Del Rey Final after a 1-1 draw in the 1st leg!
Real Madrid are playing some really good football in their last 10 games, despite their shocking loss to Girona last week, Madrid have actually won 8 of those last 10 and did manage to bounce back with a 1-2 away win at a tough Levante side despite some controversy.
Barcelona themselves have seemingly had a dip in form in their last 10 winning just 5 of those games, however they still managed to get themselves into the Copa Semi and did extend their lead at the top in La Liga by getting timely wins really. Barca are coming off a 2-4 win at Sevilla after trailing twice in the game so it’s safe to say that Barca have momentum going right now after that win.
One bit of worry for Barca is their away form because despite that Sevilla win, they’ve only won 2 of last 6 away games losing 2 and drawing 2 and being held scoreless 3 times. Barca NEED at least one goal in this match.
Real Madrid have had quite a straight forward Copa Del Rey run so far. They beat Melilla 10-1 on aggregate, then Leganes 3-1 on aggregate, had the deal pretty much sealed after the 3-0 1st leg win and then beat Girona 7-3 on aggregate with 4-2 and 1-3 wins.
Barcelona have not had quite an easy run, they’ve had to come back from deficits twice in the 2nd leg already. First they beat Leonesa 5-1 on aggregate easily but then Levante 4-2 on aggregate where they turned around a 1-2 deficit in the 2nd leg and beat Sevilla 6-3 on aggregate after turning around a 0-2 deficit with a 6-1 win! Barca have been a much better 2nd leg team in the cup this season.
If Real were to advance, this would be their first Copa Del Rey Final appearance since 2014. Meanwhile for Barcelona it’d be their 6th straight appearance if they were to make the Final having won the competition the previous 4 years consecutively.
Karim Benzema is the man to watch for Real Madrid, he’s been their talisman up front linking up play with other, scoring goals for fun again.
Lionel Messi is the clear man to watch for Barca, no debate the man is putting together another ridiculous season, coming off a hattrick and one assist performance against Sevilla he’ll be eager to put in a masterclass against Real who he missed the first meeting against and then only played 30 mins in the 2nd meeting so we haven’t really gotten to see the best of Messi in this fixture and should expect to see it for sure here. Messi has 26 goals against Real and has historically put in amazing performances at the Bernabeu.
In the first 2 meetings between these sides this season, Barcelona won the first Classico in the league 5-1, however Real bounced back in the Copa Del Rey 1st leg picking up an away goal and a 1-1 draw which gives them an advantage to start this 2nd leg game.
Barcelona have recently been able to get the best of Real in their travels to the Bernabeu winning in 4 of last 6 visits with Madrid winning the other 2. Barcelona won 0-3 the last time they came to Bernabeu in December 2017.
Real have been able to get the best of Barca in the Copa Del Rey however, they’ve won 3 of the last 4 cup ties against their rivals winning in 2011 2013 and 2014 with Barca winning the other in 2012. It has been 5 years since these clubs met prior to this season in this competition.
Barcelona are tipped as favourites to win this game in 90 mins at 2.40 while Madrid are underdogs at 2.80. Draw is the least likely result at 3.60 according to Unibet. Barca are favoured to go through offered at 1.75 while Real are the underdog to advance despite their away goal and home advantage at 2.05. One goal could change everything here though.
Team News
Real Madrid: Marcos Llorente and Isco are both out, however Sergio Ramos is back from suspension he served against Levante and will start.
Barcelona: Arthur is out for Barcelona, while Samuel Umtiti is back in the squad but will probably be monitored after only playing his first game in 3 months on Saturday. Messi is expected to start after coming off the bench in the 1st leg.
Betting Stats
*These stats will be based of La Liga to keep it as accurate as possible.
Real Madrid have only manager to cover 8.3% of their total goal overs at home (1-11). That is worst in La Liga.
Real Madrid have only covered 16.7% of their total 1st half overs at home (2-10).
Real Madrid average 2 bookings per game at home (22 bookings in 11 games).
Karim Benzema is Madrid’s top scorer at home with 4 goals at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have only covered 33.3% of their Handicaps at home (4-1-7).
Real Madrid have only covered 33.3% of their 1st half Handicaps at home (4-2-6).
Barcelona have only covered 33.3% of their total goal overs away from home (4-8).
Barcelona have covered 50% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home (6-6).
Barcelona average 1.92 bookings per game away from home (23 bookings in 12 games).
Lionel Messi is Barcelona’s top scorer away from home with 11 away goals. Suarez is 2nd with 7 away goals.
Barcelona have only covered 33.3% of their Handicaps away from home (4-8).
Barcelona have covered 41.7% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home (5-7).
KICK OFF – 27th February 2019 – 8pm UK Time
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