Barcelona vs Real Madrid predictions: Copa clash could be a cracker
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- Barcelona have scored nine goals in two matches against Real Madrid this season
- The teams' last four meetings have all produced at least four goals
- Recommended bet: Over 3.5 goals
The stage is set for an epic encounter in the Copa del Rey final in Seville as Barcelona and Real Madrid meet in the third El Clasico clash of the season.
LaLiga leaders Barca have won the teams' first two meetings this season in convincing fashion, while Real were victorious all three games between the two in the previous campaign.
Barcelona have a four-point advantage in the league with five matches left (including another El Clasico fixture) and they remain in the Champions League with a huge semi-final first leg coming up against Inter Milan on Wednesday.
Madrid have bounced back from their Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal with a pair of 1-0 league wins while Barca have also won their last two LaLIga matches by a single goal.
Team news
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Barcelona will be without their top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski (hamstring), while Alejandro Balde is doubtful with a similar issue.
Marc Bernal and Marc Casado are out but Marc-Andre ter Stegen is close to returning.
Manager Hansi Flick rested several of his regular starters against Mallorca on Wednesday so is expected to field a strong side.
Real will be without Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, but Kylian Mbappe and Ferland Mendy should be available and Rodrygo is expected to start.
The stats
There have been 11 goals in the two meetings between the teams this season.
Five of the teams' last six encounters have produced over 3.5 goals.
Barcelona have scored four goals in six of their last 14 matches.
Barcelona have won 16 of their last 19 games.
Real Madrid have scored exactly one goal in five of their last six matches.
Madrid have won three of their last four games 1-0.
Both teams have scored in 11 of the last 15 El Clasico matches.
Prediction
Real Madrid have been second-best to Barcelona for much of the season and they could struggle to contain their rivals again in the Copa del Rey final.
After sweeping the teams' three meetings last season, Real have been soundly beaten in both their encounters this year, losing 4-0 in the league in October and 5-2 on neutral territory in the Spanish Super Cup final in January.
Their last two meetings in the 2023-24 season each produced five goals as Madrid won 4-1 and 3-2 and another open encounter is likely in Seville.
Barca's schedule might give some hope to Madrid fans as Hansi Flick's side have a massive Champions League date with Inter on Wednesday but the German manager rested several of his starters against Mallorca, sending the signal that they will be fielding a strong side against their biggest rivals on Saturday night.
Robert Lewandowski is unavailable but Barca have no shortage of firepower with Dani Olmo acting as playmaker behind Ferran Torres and another match between the iconic sides with plenty of goals is anticipated.
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