No Messi or Ronaldo but This Weekend’s El Clasico Could Still Be A Cracker

It is somewhat strange to think that there has not been an El Clasico game between RealMadrid and Barcelona without either Lionel Messi, or Cristiano Ronaldo, playing in it since way back in 2007. In that game, a solitary strike from Julio Baptista was enough to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win and there is no doubt that Julen Lopetegui’s under-fire current Real team would settle for a similar result on Sunday.

They may well stand a chance, as Barcelona have been hit with a huge blow as Lionel Messi’s arm injury will ensure that he misses this game. That fact means that there is even greater onus on Barcelona’s other attacking options such as Philippe Coutinho, Moussa Dembele and Luis Suarez. They will need to find the net as Barcelona’s defence has been leaky this season, shipping 11 goals in their nine games so far.

Such a huge game always attracts plenty of interested betting and there is lots of that available this weekend at bet365 Sport. We’re going to give you our tips on the game as well as a preview of both teams and also how the season has gone so far for both Real and Barca. Remember, if you fancy a flutter, you can always sign up at bet365 Sport today, with the latest bet365 Sport New Player Bonus.

So how has La Liga and performances in other competitions gone so far for both the teams? Let’s take a closer look and find out.

Form this season (La Liga unless stated)

Barcelona

• Sevilla 1-2 Barcelona (Supercopa Final)
• Barcelona 3-0 Alaves
• Valladolid 0-1 Barcelona
• Barcelona 8-2 Huesca
• Real Sociedad 1-2 Barcelona
• Barcelona 4-0 PSV Eindhoven (Champions League)
• Barcelona 2-2 Girona
• Leganes 2-1 Barcelona
• Barcelona 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
• Tottenham 2-4 Barcelona (Champions League)
• Valencia 1-1 Barcelona
• Barcelona 4-2 Sevilla
• Barcelona 2-0 Inter Milan (Champions League)

Real Madrid

• Real Madrid 2-4 Atletico Madrid (UEFA Super Cup Final)
• Real Madrid 2-0 Getafe
• Girona 1-4 Real Madrid
• Real Madrid 4-1 Leganes
• Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Real Madrid
• Real Madrid 3-0 Roma (Champions League)
• Real Madrid 1-0 Espanyol
• Sevilla 3-0 Real Madrid
• Real Madrid 0-0 Atletico Madrid
• CSKA Moscow 1-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)
• Alaves 1-0 Real Madrid
• Real Madrid 1-2 Levante
• Real Madrid 2-1 Viktoria Plzen (Champions League)

La Liga Table (Top 7)

Given that Barcelona, Real Madrid (and also Atletico Madrid) usually are running away with La Liga at this point of the season, it is hugely interesting to see so many teams within just a few points of the leaders. There is no doubt that Real’s performances, since they sold Ronaldo to Juventus in the summer, have fallen away, while Barcelona’s defensive issues have seen their levels of dominance also drop away.

The net result of this is one of the most open quarters of a La Liga season for many years and it is this which makes Sunday’s game so interesting. A win for Barcelona would move them a huge seven points clear of Real Madrid, a win for Real would see them move just one behind Barcelona and would likely see the Catalan’s usurped at the top of the table (depending on how the teams below them do).

So, who are the teams likely to be facing off at the Nou Camp? Let’s gaze into the crystal ball and see if we can predict the two sides likely to clash in this game.

Predicted Line Ups

Barcelona (4-3-3) – Ter Stegen, Semedo, Alba, Lenglet, Pique, Busquets, Rakitic, Dembele, Coutinho, Suarez, Rafinha

With Messi ruled out, Barcelona will likely see Rafinha come into the team, while Dembele could also start in front of Arthur if Barcelona want to emphasise attack. They may need to given their shaky defence this season. However without Messi, even with the talents of Suarez and Coutinho, this is a team that isn’t as dangerous going forward as they are with the brilliant Argentinean in the team.

Real Madrid (4-3-3) – Courtois, Odriozola, Nacho, Ramos, Varane, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Asensio, Isco,, Bale

My gut feeling is that Benzema will make way for Bale in attack, with Asensio coming into the team in a wider role to counter some of the pacy players Barcelona will play wide. Bale’s pace also makes him more suited to playing on the counter for Real, which is something that Benzema can struggle with. With Marcelo injured in the week, Odriozola will likely come in as a full back to replace the Brazilian.

El Clasico Top Tips

INSERT bet365 Screenshot

*Odds shown are correct as of Friday 26^th October 2018 at 12.50pm GMT

Match Winner – Barcelona – 19/20

While I think Real have a solid chance here with the absence of Messi, and despite that woeful defensive record this season, Barcelona have shown that when they hit the heights this year, they can still be brilliant. Real will likely bring out the best in them and being on home soil, even without Messi, I am still feeling that Suarez, Coutinho and co can cause this Real Madrid team, who have been short on confidence of late, just one too many problems.

Correct Score – Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid – 15/2

This is a game where I can see both teams scoring. If Messi was playing, I’d have gone for three for Barcelona but without him, I still feel the Catalans are good for a couple of goals. That leaky defence means I cannot see them keeping a clean sheet but Real’s lack of form and confidence at the moment means that at the Nou Camp, I’d be surprised to see them score more than a single goal, hence the 2-1 option is the best bet here.

Anytime Goalscorer – Luis Suarez – 4/5

Barcelona’s striker has enjoyed a decent start to the season and has netted a four goals already this season but with Messi out injured, he will be Barcelona’s biggest attacking threat and he is certainly due a few more goals than the four he has hit, especially after scoring 25, 29 and 40 in his previous three seasons at the club.