When Atletico Madrid won the Liga title last season it was the first time for a decade that the trophy went to a club other than Barcelona or Real Madrid. That shock set the wheels in motion for both teams to improve their squads in the summer so that they would once again battle it out at the top of Spanish football.
As it currently stands, Barcelona are top of the league on 65 points with Real Madrid trailing by just one point. That makes Sunday’s Clasico even more significant than normal. If Barcelona win, that could all but guarantee them the title such is their dominance over most Liga clubs, but if Real Madrid leave the Camp Nou with a win, the psychological blow could be more important than the three points.
Barcelona have recovered from a tricky period towards the start of their season when a variety of on-field and off-field issues blighted the club. Manager Luis Enrique was being criticised from some quarters for an insistence on a more direct approach to the game and according to the press he had fallen out with star man, Lionel Messi. Messi, perhaps playing a cute game in time for his upcoming contract talks, started following a number of Chelsea players on his Instagram account which sent social media into a bit of a frenzy. Couple that with the re-emergence of Joan Laporta in time for a new set of presidency elections and the Camp Nou was an uncharacteristically unhappy place to be. However, things eventually settled down and the team went on an incredible six game winning run which was ended by a defeat in Malaga. The three games after that have been won with an aggregate score of 11-2, setting Barca up well for the Clasico.
Carlo Ancelotti knows that he is likely to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season no matter what happens between now and May. His team could do the nigh-on impossible and defend their Champions League title and overhaul Barcelona at the top and that still wouldn’t be enough to guarantee his job. His relationship with Florentino Perez is strained so an amicable departure is on the cards. Putting his demanding boss to one side, Real Madrid have been pretty good this year. They suffered a double defeat at the hands of city rivals Atletico and three other losses away from home but aside from one draw, they have won every other league game they’ve played.
Barcelona v Real Madrid Betting Tips
- Barcelona to win – Barcelona know that a win in this game will put them in pole position for the Liga title. They are playing well and look a more cohesive unit than their rivals. Ladbrokes go 7/10 for a home win which is as much value as you will find.
- Luis Suarez to score – Coral are offering 5/4 that the former Liverpool striker will score on Sunday. It is worth siding with the Uruguayan instead of the more obvious options for reasons of value and because he’s finally hit his stride at Barcelona with six goals in his last five appearances.