Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Spain – LaLiga
Date: Wednesday, 18 December 2019
Kick-off at 19:00 UK/ 20:00 CET
Venue: Camp Nou (Barcelona).
Barcelona
Barcelona will once again be without the services of midfielder Arthur Melo and forward Ousmane Dembele, who is a long-term absentee. No worries injuries / other suspension Valverde manager ahead of the big game on Wednesday.
No looking past the excellent Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal for La Liga champions reign, while four backline of Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and Jordi Alba is not possible to play around with, though the latter is not performing well after returning from injury against Sociedad.
No change is expected in the middle of the park either by Sergio Busquets lined up at the base of the midfield three, while Frenkie de Jong is also expected to feature in his first El Clasico. Ivan Rakitic has found new life after spending the early part of the season on the outskirts of the first team and had to hold in place against Real Madrid.
Antoine Griezmann finally began to live up to expectations after a slow start to his debut season with Barcelona. France has scored in each of his last two league appearances and should continue on the left flank, with captain and talisman Lionel Messi on the right and Luis Suarez through the middle.
Possible Lineup (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, de Jong; Messi, Suarez, Griezmann
Real Madrid
Real Madrid marquee summer signing Eden Hazard ruled out for the Barcelona match as he continues to battle injury problems. Los Blancos will be without the services of Lucas Vazquez, James Rodriguez, Marcelo and Marco Asensio. Ferland Mendy back in the squad after missing the Valencia game due to suspension.
Thibaut Courtois impressive draw against Valencia and Real Madrid should continue between the sticks on Wednesday, while three of the four defenders who started on Sunday - Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos are all expected to feature again. Mendy should return to the left-back slot at the expense of Nacho.
There will be a change in the Real Madrid midfield as well, as Casemiro set to return to the starting XI after sitting on the weekends. Brazil had to replace Luka Modric in the side, with both Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde is expected to retain their places.
In the form of superstar Karim Benzema is certain to feature as center-forward for Real Madrid. Gareth Bale, Vinicius Jr., Rodryo and Isco will compete for two spots on the flanks. Zidane may choose to go to experience a younger mean Bale and Isco could get the nod at the Camp Nou.
Possible Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Isco
Barcelona vs Real Madrid Prediction
Barca continued problems in the way once again last match-day, as they locked horns with Sociedad. The host found the back of the net early in the 12th minute itself, which put the Blaugrana under great pressure.
Ernesto Valverde men managed to equalize through Antoine Griezmann, and then took a one-goal lead through Luis Suarez. But the joy was short-lived, as clumsy defending at the back led to the defending champions conceded again. And thus, the match ended 2-2, with both teams sharing the spoils.
Barca dropped points mean, Real Madrid have a chance to take the top position in the table. And with Clasico in the corner, that means if the story was written in the stars. However, the trip to take on Valencia proved a task too difficult to handle.
Not a single goal occurred in the first half for both teams, and dissolve the last 45 minutes, the hosts took a 1-0 lead with a strike from Carlos Soler. It looked as if Los Blancos were headed to defeat.
But as has been the case this season, Karim Benzema appeared lifesaver when it matters most for the Whites Royal. equalizer on 90 minutes + 5 puts 13 times European champions level on points with rivals, Barcelona.
This Wednesday, the fact that the game takes place at the Nou Camp will greatly affect the outcome. Barca have made a habit of doing very well in the spacious grounds of their home ground, while falling short many times away from home.
This season also, their home form is one of the best in the whole of Europe, and they will try to ride the momentum in the search for a win. In fact, at this point, Lionel Messi and co have a 100% winning record this season, ignoring the single draw 0-0 against Slavia Prague in the Champions League.
Also note that Valverde's men have scored a total of 35 goals in their previous ten appearances here, and most importantly, they have made it a point to compensate for their deficiencies in the road with a good performance back at home.
In addition, Barca are unbeaten in six matches against teams from Madrid, and has won the latest two meetings. Meanwhile, the man Zinedine Zidane has had their fair share of problems on the road this season. Citing a star, they are without a win in 12 former 19 away their equipment.
In addition, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Marcelo, James Rodriguez, etc. on the injury list, it will be difficult for the team from the capital to submit a performance worthy of three points on Wednesday. Also, do take into account the fact that how each of the Champions League Round of 16 draw will affect both sides.
Barce has been pitted against relatively easy to Napoli, while men Zidane will have to take on the titans of the British, and the heavy favorite to lift the title, Manchester City.
Thus, relying in the form of Lionel Messi and Co. to prove their mettle in their favorite hunting ground once again, and take the three points on offer.
However, do not assume that this is a fierce competition in the sport of football. Form, places, titles, etc. will all take a back seat when the ferocity of the players to outgun their rivals considered. Ninety minutes of heavy duty action, and drama is on the cards for this game-day fans, and it would be highly unlikely for either team to keep a clean sheet.
Especially when the defensive woes Barcelona considered, the visitors are tipped to score at least once. Moreover, taking into account the fact that the previous 16 games h2h in this place had goals from both teams, and add to the mix a scary form of Karim Benzema.
Close supervision of all these factors help us to choose which BTTS as the main betting game this weekend in La Liga.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid Betting Tips
Both Teams Score @ 1.50 (1/2)
Barcelona to Win @ 1.75 (3/4).
