Real Madrid v Barcelona – The Battle for Top Place

The Biggest Derby in the World?

It’s almost as if the world stops when Real Madid face Barcelona. Millions and millions of viewers around the world plus those lucky enough to get a ticket for the match, will be watching this battle between two of the best teams in the world.

As is often the case, this isn’t just a game between two massive sides with teams full of unbelievable talent. Barcelona go into this game three points clear of Real Madrid in second place and they know this is an ideal chance to really stamp some authority at the top of the table.

The Season So Far

We’ve reached round 12 of La Liga and Barcelona lead by three points with Atletico Madrid in third place. Barcelona haven’t been as dominant as they usually are though. At home they have been majestic with six straight wins but on their travels it’s been a slightly different story. They’ve won three and lost two on the road and that includes a stunning 4-1 defeat at Celta Vigo and a 2-1 loss at Sevilla. A win at Getafe ended a run of two straight defeats and you wonder if they can avoid another defeat at Real Madrid especially without record El Clasico scorer Lionel Messi.

Real Madrid have also shown fantastic form on home territory with just one goal conceded so far. Malaga did hold them to a surprise 0-0 draw but other games have seen resounding wins with them scoring three goals twice and five goals once. They aren’t unbeaten though and like Barcelona, they lost away at Sevilla. Ronaldo is in his usual imperious form and unlike a lot of players didn’t play during the international break.

Recent Results

Madrid won 3-1 at home last year but the previous season saw a dramatic 4-3 win for Barcelona. One thing is almost guaranteed in an El Clasico and that’s plenty of goals. Both sides scoring almost always seems to happen in this match and Barcelona are no strangers to scoring plenty of goals when they travel to Madrid.

Goalscorers

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in each of the last two matches between these sides and has scored 15 goals against Barcelona. He holds the record for scoring in six consecutive matches against their great rivals. The top scorer in El Clasico is Lionel Messi who has hit the back of the net 21 times but will miss this match due to injury.

Key Statistics for Real Madrid v Barcelona

There have been over 2.5 goals in the last seven games between these two sides and in 16 of the last 17. The odds on there being more than 2.5 goals scored in this game are .

Barcelona have scored in their last 13 games away at Real Madrid. They are just to score on Saturday.

Barcelona have scored in their last 19 games against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid have scored in their last 18 games against Barcelona and are to find the back of the net on Saturday.

Both teams have scored in the last 18 matches between these two sides. It’s for that to happen this weekend.

Conclusion

Real Madrid have been highly impressive at home this season in both La Liga and the Champions League. They have a strong squad to choose from and the fact Ronaldo is fit and rested is a big plus. Barcelona are still missing Messi but it’s a worry for them that they have already slipped to two away defeats and also failed to win in Roma in the Champions League. I go for a Real Madrid win with both teams scoring which is available at .

Find our detailed match preview for Real Madrid v Barcelona here!