H2H: FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid – Prediction (La Liga

H2H: Barcelona vs Real Madrid – Comparison.

After opposing results in the Champions League midweek, Barcelona and Real Madrid now engage in the 245th competitive El Clásico, with the hosts looking to square the La Liga (LL) ledger to 73-73. However for the first time since April 2003, both teams enter this world-renowned derby on the back of defeat in the previous LL round. In addition to Barcelona’s last opening goal in LL competition, Philippe Coutinho also scored first in the 2018/19 home LL meeting with Real Madrid. Vinícius Júnior has scored in three of his last four appearances for Madrid – opening the scoring in two LL fixtures during that period – as well as netting the fastest Champions League goal by a substitute (15 seconds) since at least 2006/07. One team has led at the end of both halves in just three of the last 13 El Clásicos in all competitions.

Barcelona Insights.

Barcelona have recorded just one goal across their last two LL fixtures, the first time in a stretch of 12 LL games in which they have done so, in what is just the third time since the start of 2019/20 that they have recorded two consecutive winless LL encounters. A sole victory from their last five LL home Clásico clashes (D3, L1) – despite opening the scoring four times – also fails to inspire, particularly when Barcelona have scored just one second-half goal this LL campaign (excluding own goals).

Real Madrid Insights.

That stands in stark contrast with visiting Madrid, who enjoy an aggregate 4-0 scoreline across their five LL second halves this season. However their shock defeat to Cádiz was the first time in four LL games in which they did not win the second half. Furthermore, Real Madrid will be concerned to have fallen to consecutive defeats as a favourite (in all competitions) for the first time since the end of the 2018/19 season, even if both were by just a one-goal margin.