The most eagerly anticipated football match of the season will take place when Barcelona host Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday afternoon.
A global TV audience of more than 500 million people will tune in as Lionel Messi bids to lead his team to an important victory over their fiercest rivals. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner tried to engineer a move away from the club in the summer following their capitulation in the latter stages of the season.
Barca finished five points behind Real Madrid at the top of the table, and then suffered a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Messi wanted to move to Man City, but the club dug their heels in, and he remains at the Nou Camp.
Signs of Optimism
Barcelona were expected to struggle badly this season. They had to offload Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Arthur and Nelson Samedo to balance the books. Their only new signing of note, Miralem Pjanic turned up unfit, while Messi is thoroughly disgruntled.
However, they won their first two games of the season, before drawing with Sevilla, sparking a modicum of optimism among fans. Since then they have lost 1-0 to Getafe, and bounced back with a 5-1 Champions League triumph over Ferencvaros, with Messi leading the rout.
Great Value on Real Madrid
Real Madrid were installed as the heavy favourites to win a second consecutive league title. They embarked upon an astonishing winning streak after the season resumed in June, and looked in great shape for their title defence.
Los Blancos took seven points from their opening three games, but then disaster struck when they lost 1-0 to Cadiz last time out. Talismanic captain Sergio Ramos picked up a knock, making him a doubt for El Clasico on Sunday.
Real Madrid may not quite be at their imperious best, and the fitness of Ramos and Eden Hazard will be a concern, but it is pretty remarkable to see them priced as the 9/4 (3.25) underdogs to win this game.
They have suffered just one domestic defeat in 15 games since football resumed in June, and they took four points off Barcelona in their two meetings last season.
Tip: Real Madrid-draw double chance
Stake: One Unit
