Real Madrid - Barcelona predictions and free betting tips [21/04/2024]

On Sunday, the 21st of April, in the 32nd tour of the Spanish Primera, "Real Madrid" will host "Barcelona" on their home field. The Whites went through "Manchester City" in the quarter-finals of the Champions League last Wednesday, whereas the Catalans lost to "PSG" with a score of 1:4 and left the continental championship.

Predicted Lineups

Real Madrid: Lunin; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Tchouameni, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Vinicius, Rodrigo.
Barcelona: ter Stegen; Koundé, Araujo, Kubar, Cancelo; Gündoğan, Christensen, F. de Jong; Pedri, Lewandowski, Rafinha.

Real Madrid

Being a favourite for the victory in the Spanish championship, Real Madrid focused all its attention on the Champions League this week: the team had an away quarter-final match at Etihad against Manchester City after the thrilling 3:3 draw at the Bernabeu. Of course, the Champions League remains the main target for the "royal club" for the rest of the season, and Carlo Ancelotti's disciples proved it by coming out on top in the penalty series (1:1 after extra time); a match with Bayern Munich awaits in the semi-finals in a week and a half. However, the Madridistas now need to shift their focus to the Primera, especially since they have only lost one game in La Liga since last summer - at the Wanda Metropolitano in September (3:1). Last weekend, Real clinched their 4th victory in a row - over Mallorca (0:1), before overcoming Celta (4:0), Osasuna (2:4), and Athletic Bilbao (2:0). 

It will come as no surprise that the Whites score the most goals (67) in the Spanish Championship and have the best defensive record (just 20 conceded goals). According to Carlo Ancelotti, only Alaba and Courtois will be unavailable for the Clasico due to injuries, whereas Vinicius, who left the pitch at Etihad with a muscle strain, has finally recovered. Aurélien Tchouameni, who scored the only goal against Mallorca, missed the return leg against Man City due to suspension, but will now start. Creativity in attack for Madridistas will be provided by Jude Bellingham (16 goals, 4 assists), Rodrigo (10 goals, 5 assists), Joselu (8 goals), and Brahim Díaz (7 goals in La Liga), whereas the capital team's midfield is orchestrated by Kroos and Valverde.

Barcelona

Last year, Barcelona reclaimed the throne in Spain after a four-year drought, but a triumph in La Liga seems unlikely this season. However, a victory tonight could bring Xavi's charges within five points of leaders Real. Like the Whites, Barça also played in the Champions League last week, facing PSG in the second leg of the quarter-finals (the Catalans won 2:3 in Paris). However, the game turned out to be a disaster for the Blaugrana: reduced to ten men already in the first half after Araujo was sent off, Barça suffered a heavy defeat (1:4) and exited the tournament. Last weekend, the Catalans took the upper hand against Cadiz with a 0:1 win thanks to a superb bicycle kick from João Félix, and it was their fourth straight Primera victory after triumphs over Mallorca (1:0), Atletico Madrid (0:3), and Las Palmas (1:0). 

Barcelona occupies the second spot in La Liga in terms of away points this season with 33 points in 15 matches away from their home ground and with no defeats. Gäbi (out for the rest of the season) and Balde are injured and will not be available. Three players were sent off against Cadiz – Lewandowski (13 goals, 8 assists in La Liga), Cancelo, and central defender Íñigo Martínez, but all of them will return to the starting lineup tonight. João Félix (7 goals, 3 assists), who scored a fantastic goal in the last round, will take his place on the wing of the attack, whereas the trio of midfielders will consist of F. de Jong, Gündoğan (5 goals, 6 assists), and Pedri.

Head-to-Head

This season, Real Madrid has already beaten the Catalan club twice: in the first leg at Montjuic thanks to a brace by Jude Bellingham (1:2) and in the Spanish Super Cup thanks to a hat-trick by Vinicius (4:1).

Prediction for the Real Madrid - Barcelona match

Real Madrid is the clear favourite for this encounter, having yet to lose at home this season. Moreover, the hosts have beaten Barça twice in this campaign (in the league and in the Spanish Super Cup), and a win this evening would effectively seal the league title. The Catalans are not in the best emotional state after their Champions League exit, and I don't believe they will succeed at Bernabeu.