Barcelona – Real Madrid. Dmitry Khlestkin’s prediction

Real Madrid are seeking revenge for one of the most humiliating defeats against Barcelona in their history.

Looking back into their h2h, you can’t say that Real Madrid were hopeless. In the last five league games against Barcelona they beat them twice in the league (both in Madrid, though) and also emerged victorious in the Copa del Rey final in April 2014.  You all remember Gareth Bale’s sprint, don’t you?

But in this Saturday’s match Barcelona are undisputable favourites, despite all the motivation from Madrid.

The Catalans are astoudingly good at home, strangling opponents with constant rapid passing, pressing and unpredictable movement from MSN. Do you remember, how they scored five in just a half, showing how much they love Celta on the Valentine’s day?

Yes, Barca are facing a very difficult match against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, but who on Earth will say they will save pains in el Clasico in the home match? Do you imagine Luis Enrique saying “Hey, guys, Madrid are ten points away from us, let’s have a break, we are the champions already”? I don’t.

This Saturday’s Clasico will also be the first match for Barcelona since the passing of Johan Cruyff, bringing up additional motivation for them.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, aren’t too confident away from home. They conceded goals in each away game in Spain after shutting the doors for Eibar on November 29.

Both the Blaugrana and los Merengues are likely to have full squads to choose from with all key players from both sides returned from their international duties safe and sound. Real Madrid may have acute defensive problems, but their attack is still one of the best in the world.

The biggest help possible for Madrid is the fact that Messi, Suarez and Neymar have all played intense World Cup qualifiers in South America, while Bale and Benzema had a rest, while Ronaldo played in a couple of friendlies. But again, do you think MSN will take a break with Real Madrid? Moreover, Messi can score his 500^th career goal. He will definitely try to do it against the Zidane’s team.

Summing things up, I think that Barcelona are going to win, but they won’t keep a clean sheet this time. So, it’s best here to pick the Catalans’ victory, but back Real Madrid to score. Both teams to score and Barcelona to win sounds like a safe haven to me.