For Real Madrid, the league title is their only big price left, after being eliminated from the Champions League by Olympique Lyonnais. This was a massive blow for the club that spent over 200 million euro’s to match up with Barcelona again. All efforts on the transfer market (Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, etc) aimed to regain the national championship and to reach the Champions League final, which will be played in their own Bernabeu. As this dream scenario has collapsed, the title is what is left for the Merengues. FC Barcelona on the other hand approach the match in a more relaxed way. Having beaten Madrid at home already (1-0), the Catalans will not be unhappy drawing at Bernabeu, because this gives them an advantage on aggregate (which is decisive if both teams have equal points at the end of the season). Moreover, moral is high at the Camp Nou. Barcelona faced a small decline in results after the winter, but regained confidence in the latest months, beating Arsenal for the Champions League and impressing in La Liga. Lionel Messi is steaming hot, producing one hattrick after the other.

Real Madrid feels a lot of pressure to win at home, and have announced to play their regular, attacking game. Last year, they did so too in the Clasico. It led to the biggest humiliation in years (2-6). Barcelona prefers to play against attacking teams, as their defence is pretty tight and their midfield is lethal when there’s space on the pitch. Therefore, we expect a similar scenario as last year. Madrid will start furiously, but once Barcelona gets the ball, it’s code red for Ronaldo and his friends.

Our punter tips: Barcelona tb Real Madrid, 7/10 @ 2.75