There are plenty of big derby matches in football but given the stature of the clubs and the animosity between the fans the biggest derby in Europe takes place on Saturday when Real Madrid travel to Barcelona for what could be the a title-deciding El Clasico.
Barcelona v Real Madrid
You don’t need a history lesson to understand that these two clubs aren’t the best of friends and take great joy in getting one over on each other. In recent times it has been the Barcelona fans who have been doing the majority of the celebrating, losing just one of the last 14 encounters with Real.
That sole victory for Los Blancos came in last season’s Copa del Rey final, and even then they needed extra time to dispatch the Catalonians. Given the way the league has shaped up this season you could describe Saturday’s match as a final, with Real looking to protect the four-point lead they enjoy over Barca.
The gap at the top had been 10 points but a run of 11 straight wins for Barcelona has seen them claw back Real, who have won eight and drawn three in that time. With four games to go after Saturday’s Clasico you wonder whether Jose Mourinho’s men will be able to hold their nerve if they do lose at the Nou Camp.
Real haven’t lost in the league since the first meeting between these two clubs in December but come into the match off the back of a disappointing defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. You might argue Mourinho’s men had one eye on El Clasico, given how important it is, but given recent performances it could well be the tension getting to Real.
They know a win on Saturday will all but hand them their first La Liga crown in four years, ending Barcelona’s domination in Spain. Given the importance of the game, and with the ‘Special One’ in the dug-out, no one would be surprised to see Real employ negative tactics in a bid to get something out of the game.
With that in mind it is no wonder Real are 4/1 for the win, with Barcelona 4/6 and the draw 3/1.
Mourinho’s tactics in previous encounters have been to press Barcelona high up the pitch and chase everything. However, Real looked tired on Tuesday night and to do that at the Nou Camp for 90 minutes will take a super-human effort.
Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola must feel as though he has Mourinho#s number given the way his team has outplayed Real since the Portuguese tactician took over. The 5-0 win for Barca in the league meeting between the two last season must have been a humbling experience for Mourinho as it showed the gulf in class.
Today, that gap has shrunk, but not enough to persuade you to back Real at 4/1. Given how many times this game has taken place recently you can guess what is going to happen: Barca will dominate possession, Real will lose their cool and eventually their discipline before Guardiola’s men strike.
The Barcelona coach will be looking for a reaction from his team after Wednesday’s defeat at Chelsea so expect them to come out all guns blazing, in particular Lionel Messi after his mistake led to the goal at Stamford Bridge.
The Argentine genius has scored the first goal eight times for Barca this season and is 5/2 to do so again. Contrast that with Cristiano Ronaldo – who has the same number of league goals as Messi – at 5/1 and you know which way we think the game is going to go.
Both teams will score, there is no doubt about that given Barcelona’s defending, but the home side will get more on their way to dispatching Real like they do any other team which comes to the Nou Camp.
Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.