Home of football statistics and historyThe top two teams in La Liga go head-to-head on Sunday in a fixture which could have a massive bearing on the outcome of the title race.
Real Madrid head into the game with an eight-point lead over Barcelona with seven games remaining and are long odds-on to claim top spot.
However, a Barca victory would keep them in contention to overhaul their bitter rivals during the final few weeks of the season.
Madrid are the favourites to win the game with this range of online football betting providers and it would be a brave move to wager against them.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side defied expectations by knocking Manchester City out of the Champions League quarter-finals after a penalty shoot-out at the Etihad Stadium in midweek.
By contrast, Barcelona blew a two-goal aggregate lead against Paris Saint-Germain to crash out of the competition and desperately need a ‘pick-me-up’ this weekend.
Madrid came through the midweek game relatively unscathed, although Vinicius Junior and Dani Carvajal will need to be assessed after limping off in the latter stages.
Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba are long-term absentees for Los Blancos, but Aurelien Tchouameni is back in the squad after serving a suspension.
Barcelona will have Sergi Roberto and Andreas Christensen available after their suspensions, but Gavis and Alejandro Balde are out for the season.
Madrid have won three of the last four El Classicos, scoring ten goals. They have lost just once in La Liga this term and remain firmly on course to win the double.
While fatigue may be a factor for Madrid, they have enough quality in their squad to cope with the workload during what promises to be a thrilling end to the season.
Barca’s dismal midweek defeat against PSG ended a 13-match unbeaten run (W10, D3) and anything less than three points this weekend will end their title hopes.
An early red card for Ronald Araujo did not help their cause against the Ligue 1 side, but further highlighted how Barca find ways to shoot themselves in the foot.
Facing a confident Madrid side riding a 16-match unbeaten run will not be easy, but Barca must find a way to overcome their bitter rivals this weekend.
Keeping a lid on midfielder Jude Bellingham will be key to their hopes, although it is worth noting that he admitted he was dead on his feet towards the end of the Man City game.
If the England international has recovered from his exertions, odds of 41/20 to score anytime during the game could deliver a winning return to bettors.
Bellingham has scored 16 goals in 24 league appearances this season and the bookmakers appear to have taken a chance with him this weekend.
Antonio Rudiger to be carded is another tempting proposition at odds of 17/4. He has picked up seven yellow cards in 27 La Liga games this term and may add to his tally this weekend.
Predicted Line-Ups
Real Madrid: Andriy Lunin, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo.
Barcelona: Marc-Andre, Ter Stegen, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Joao Cancelo, Pedri, Ilkay Gundogan, Frenkie De Jong, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal.
Match Prediction
Barcelona are in the last-chance saloon on Sunday and cannot afford to come away from Madrid with anything less than three points.
However, their confidence took a massive hit against PSG in midweek and Madrid look a good bet at odds of 10/11 to record a vital victory.
Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona.
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