Barcelona v Real Madrid – Preview and Betting Tips

Football fanatics worldwide are salivating in unison today, because tomorrow morning is the big one. Barcelona host Real Madrid in the first “El Clasico” of the 2010/11 Spanish Primera Liga. As the Sydney Morning Herald has pointed out, over $1 billion worth of players will be on show, in a spectacle that up to 500 million people are expected to watch on Tuesday at 7 AM AEDST. For the sports betting enthusiasts, below are some tidbits and betting suggestions.

Odds

Given the enormity of the occasion, it’s no surprise that the betting selection is abundant. William Hill, for example, are offering 179 different bets on the event! Despite being at the top of the table, one point ahead of Barcelona, Real Madrid are considered by bookmakers to be the underdogs. This is primarily due to the fact they are playing away from home, because both teams are in fantastic form.

Below are selected Luxbet odds (subject to change):

Tidbits and Betting Tips

  • Form: Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are in fantastic form. Both teams have scored 33 goals in their 12 La Liga fixtures to date in a season that is shaping up to be a two-horse race for the title. Both teams have a 7-1-0 record over the past eight games. Real Madrid is at the top of the table, with 10 wins and 2 draws this season. Barcelona is one point behind with a 10-1-1 record.
  • Squads: Gabriel Milito is the only first team regular missing for Barca. For Real Madrid, Kaka and Fernando Gago will miss out because of injury. Ricardo Carvalho, Sami Khedira and Gonzalo Higuain have all overcome problems to be named in the squad.
  • Head to head: the previous five La Liga encounters between the two sides have been dominated by Barcelona.
    • 10 Apr 2010 — Real Madrid 0 – Barcelona 2
    • 29 Nov 2009 — Barcelona 1 – Real Madrid 0
    • 2 May 2009 — Real Madrid 2 – Barcelona 6
    • 13 Dec 2008 — Barcelona 2 – Real Madrid 0
    • 7 May 2008 — Real Madrid 4 – Barcelona 1
  • Shady’s tips:
    • ‘This has to be a close encounter and the handicap the bookmaker is giving definitely a “false” one for people to assume that Barcelona are favourites. Yes, Barcelona do hold home advantage BUT if you look at current form, Real Madrid is definitely the better side.’
    • Fixed odds betting: consider backing Real Madrid to win the game
    • Handicap betting: take Real Madrid for +0.25 or +0.5
  • FootyGaffa’s tips:
    • The pick: Barcelona to win 2-1
    • Back both teams to score
    • Consider backing both Messi and Ronaldo to score
  • SoccerAce’s tips:
    • Back Barcelona to win
    • Back 2.5+ goals
  • Where to bet:
    • With odds of 2.16, 3.59 and 3.58 for a Barcelona win, Real Madrid win and a draw, respectively, Pinnacle Sports offers the best odds for match result betting.
    • For correct score betting Betfair is currently offering the best odds.
    • For sheer betting selection, including number of corners, first-half result, etc., William Hill, Betfair and Sportsbet won’t disappoint. Having said that, most bookmakers are providing a good betting selection for this fixture.
Share this:

 

Post Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.