Another Clasico is here. Two of Spain's greatest rival's go head to head when FC Barcelona host Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. A place in this season's Copa del Rey finals is at stake. No doubt this is another interesting clash of these two team, but here's why I am backing to win this one.
1. Messi and Camp Nou Effect
Barcelona have struggled whenever the Argentine talisman has been left on the bench by Valverde this season. In this particular tournament, Messi has been left of the first leg matches against arguably lesser sides. On both occasions, the Catalans have suffered defeat and have been forced rely on the Camp Nou atmosphere and Messi's magic to overturn these defeats in the second leg. Here, Barca face a weaker version of Madrid but still more potent that either Levante or Sevilla who inflicted first leg defeats on weakened Barcelona teams. Barcelona will be deeply aware of the need to carry an advantage from this game heading into the return leg in the capital in a fortnight. It's no-brainier Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has named a strong side for this one.
2. Form
Barcelona have not lost any of the last three meetings between these two sides including a 5-1 hammering of Madrid that effectively ended Julen Lopetegui's short stint at the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid have operating on a lower level since the shock departure of manager Zinedine Zidane and the loss of star man Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus last summer. The Blancos have been relying heavily on Karim Benzema so far this season. It comes as little surprise that Madrid are 8 points of leaders Barca at third place after 22 league games. On the road, Madrid have won just 5 of their 11 Liga games. The traveling side might falter here and the simply can't a shaky performance here like then one they produced in October.
Prediction:
Over 2.5 Goals & BTTS @ 1.90
Reasoning: H2H, 6 of the last 7 games between this two sides have produced more than 2.5 goals. 7 of the previous 9 games between these two sides have seen both sides score. 7 of Barcelona's last 9 games have produced over 2.5 goals while 4 of Madrid's last 5 games have produced over 2.5 goals.
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