Real Madrid aims to edge closer to their 36th La Liga title as they host arch-rivals Barcelona at the Bernabeu on Sunday evening.
Leading the table, Real Madrid sits eight points ahead of Barcelona with seven matches remaining, making this clash crucial for both sides.
Match Preview
On Wednesday, Real Madrid secured their spot in the Champions League semi-finals by defeating Manchester City in a penalty shootout in England.
This victory extended their unbeaten streak to 16 matches across all competitions, with only one loss in their last 38 games.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid has had a remarkable La Liga season, losing only once in 31 matches and conceding just 20 goals.
Additionally, they have won 13 out of 15 home league games this season, maintaining an undefeated record at the Bernabeu throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
On the other hand, Barcelona suffered a 4-1 (6-4 aggregate) defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, ending their six-game winning streak.
Despite this loss, Xavi’s team has been in good form, with a 13-match unbeaten run from late January to mid-April.
Barcelona has lost only one of their last 15 La Liga matches, securing away wins against various opponents during this period.
Remarkably, they remain undefeated in La Liga away games this season, with nine wins and six draws on the road in 2023-24.
Head-to-Head:
In their recent encounters, Real Madrid has won the last three meetings with Barcelona across all competitions, averaging 3.3 goals per game.
Considering that 11 of the previous 12 matches between these teams have seen over 2.5 goals, Sunday’s fixture is likely to be high-scoring.
Team News & Updates:
Real Madrid continues to miss Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba due to long-term knee injuries.
For Barcelona, midfielder Gavi is sidelined with a knee issue, while Alejandro Blade is out with a muscle injury.
Prediction & Analysis:
With a history of high-scoring encounters between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Sunday’s match promises excitement and drama.
Considering their recent form and attacking prowess, we anticipate over 2.5 goals in this thrilling contest.
Barcelona may edge past Real Madrid in a goal-laden affair at the Bernabeu.
- Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona