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Real Madrid vs Barcelona betting preview (El Clasico)

The two most recent Clasicos have been goalless at half time, but it could be interesting to go for both teams to score in the first half.

Real Madrid versus Barcelona.

Los Blancos enter the game with renewed confidence after doing the double on Bayern Munich in Champions League to qualify to face city rivals Atletico in the semi-finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a hat-trick to see his team win 6-3 on aggregate and take his goal tally to 31 this season in all competitions.

Zinedine Zidane is looking to lead Real Madrid to their first La Liga title since 2011/12.

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Blaugrana were unable to register a goal over two legs as they got knocked out of the biggest club football competition in Europe by Juventus 3-0 on aggregate on Wednesday.

The Blaugrana, however, have an impressive goalscoring record against their table-topping opponents Madrid, as they have scored in their last 22 games in all competitions against Real Madrid, the best run of a side in El Clasico history.

The Spanish giants look evenly matched judging by their head to head record of last five games. Real Madrid won twice, same number as Barcelona and one game ended in a draw.

Zinedine Zidane's men have not lost in their last five games, winning four and drawing against their Champions League semi-final opponents, Atletico early this month in a league game.

Avoiding a loss against Barca means they will go 10 games without one.

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FC Barcelona have dropped points away from home in La Liga this season, including a recent 2-1 loss at Deportivo.

Enrique’s side also lost to Europa League semi-finalists Celta Vigo away from home and were held at Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Real Betis.

Barca can be backed to win this match at (3.10) with SportyBet.

The last six meetings between the teams in Madrid have seen Real come away with three wins, Barcelona with two wins and one draw.

Real Madrid come into this match as favourites, priced at (2.09) with SportyBet.

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Zidane’s side are undefeated at the Santiago Bernabeu this campaign and will want to maintain that impressive record.

This will be the first meeting between both sides this year and a very vital one to the decider of who wins the title eventually as Madrid are three points clear of Barca on top of the table, even with a game outstanding.

The reverse fixture, played in December, ended in a 1-1 draw and the Catalans have been losing their grip on the trophy ever since.

Another draw is on offer at (3.90) on SportyBet.

Barcelona, who will not have Neymar available for the Clasico due to a two-game suspension, have only managed to win twice in their last five games in all competitions.

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Gareth Bale is a major doubt for Real Madrid with a calf injury, while defenders Pepe and Raphael Varane are still sidelined on long term injuries.

Alex Vidal and Rafinha will not be in the match squad for Barcelona because of ankle and knee injuries respectively.

Lionel Messi has found the back of the net 45 times in as many appearances this season, but the Argentine has not been able to score in the last six El Clasicos.

A stat Luis Enrique will be willing to forget before the showdown on Sunday.

Messi remains the Clasico's all-time leading goalscorer, though, with 21 goals in 33 appearances to date, though in recent games his rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, has had more success, scoring three in his last six.

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Cristiano Ronaldo leads the goalscorers betting at (1.75) with the forward fresh from scoring his 41st hat trick for Los Blancos in midweek, and looking to add to his tally of 16 Clasico goals.

Karim Benzema who has scored five goals in his last five league Clasicos at the Bernabeu, is offered at (2.00) to add to his El Clasico tally.

A goal for Messi anytime in this crucial match is on offer at (1.95) with SportyBet, while Suarez who has enjoyed success against Real Madrid, with four goals in as many Clasico appearances could be backed to score anytime at (2.05) on SportyBet.

You can also bet on Sergio Ramos to score anytime in this tie (4.70) - the Madrid skipper has a knack of scoring important late goals, as proven in the reverse fixture this season.

Barcelona have scored at least 2 goals in 10 of their last 12 games in La Liga.

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On the other hand, Los Blancos have scored in 55 consecutive matches in all competitions, making both teams to score a worthy selection at (1.35) on SportyBet.

The two most recent Clasicos have been goalless at half time, but it could be interesting to go for both teams to score in the first half - at a price of (2.79) on SportyBet.

This particular bet has won in four of the last nine meetings.  SportyBet, as recommended by Nigerian football legend Kanu Nwankwo offers one of the highest odds in Nigeria.  Follow SportyBet on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.

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