Real Madrid vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips - LaLiga

Prediction published on 21/12/2017, 08:25  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 02/01/2018 at 04:02 in LaLiga Predictions

It's a game that Real Madrid just cannot afford to lose. The El Classico against Barcelona sees Real in fourth place in La Liga and 11 points behind their opponents. They have a game in hand but Real could do with winning this game to keep their hopes of retaining the title alive. Defeat would almost certainly end their title challenge and we're not even at Christmas yet. Real got off to a slow start at home with just two points from their first three games. Since then they have won their last five home league matches scoring 16 goals. The big worry for them is the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo who has been missing training in the week leading up to this big game. Madrid are fresh from winning the World Club Championship and are unbeaten in their last ten league and cup games but have show uncharacteristic fragility this season. There was that 3-1 loss away to Tottenham in the Champions League and a 2-1 loss at Girona in La Liga. At home they have only lost two of their last 32 La Liga games but Barcelona did win here last season. The league leaders have a six point lead at the top of the table and are yet to taste defeat in La Liga this season. They are unbeaten in their last 24 games in all competitions since losing to Real Madrid in the pre-season Super Cup. In La Liga they are unbeaten in their last 23 games. This should be a great game with the pressure all on the home team. Go for over 2.5 games in this match.