April 21, 2012 7:00 PM BST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco
Team News
Barcelona
Barcelona suffered the disappointment of a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the
Champions League on Wednesday, but on the domestic front they have been
unstoppable of late, winning their last 11 La Liga matches. The Champions League tie, however, may weigh on Pep Guardiola's mind so Gerard Pique could return to give Carles Puyol a rest.
Pedro may also be given a chance from the start given his recent return
to form and his great goalscoring record against Real Madrid; the winger
has scored four times against Los Blancos in the past two years.
Barça have never been beaten by Real under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola
in seven league matches and have won all three at the Nou Camp.
Probable lineups : Valdes, Adriano, Piqué, Mascherano, Alves, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Sanchez. (4-3-3).
Real Madrid
Real will also have to come from behind if they are to reach the
Champions League final after losing 2-1 in Munich on Tuesday night. Fabio Coentrão started ahead of Marcelo against the Germans, but his
mistake for the winning goal may ensure a return for the Brazilian at
left-back, even though he has had problems against Barcelona in the
past.
The other question for Jose Mourinho is whether to sacrifice one of his
front four for an extra body in midfield. It is a tactic he used
repeatedly last season against the European champions and with a draw
more than satisfactory for Real given their current four-point
advantage, it is one he is likely to use again.
Should that be the case then Esteban Granero will come in for one of Ángel Di María or Mesut Özil. Karim Benzema should also get the nod ahead of Gonzalo Higuain in attack
as the Frenchman has scored three times against Barcelona already this
season.
Probable lineups : Casillas, Arbeola, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Granero, Alonso, Khedira, Maria, Benzema, Ronaldo. (4-3-3).
Match Facts
Barcelona have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 11 home matches in La Liga.
Barcelona are undefeated in their last 34 home matches in La Liga.
Barcelona have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 5 matches against Real Madrid in all competitions.
Barcelona have scored at least 2 goals in their last 5 matches against Real Madrid in all competitions.
Barcelona are undefeated in their last 7 matches against Real Madrid in all competitions.
Real Madrid have won 12 of their last 13 away matches in La Liga.
Head to Head
Barcelona | Apr 18, 2012 | Chelsea FC 1 - FC Barcelona 0 | UCL |
| Apr 14, 2012 | Levante 1 - FC Barcelona 2 | LIGA |
| Apr 10, 2012 | FC Barcelona 4 - Getafe 0 | LIGA |
| Apr 7, 2012 | Zaragoza 1 - FC Barcelona 4 | LIGA |
| Apr 3, 2012 | FC Barcelona 3 - AC Milan 1 | UCL |
Real Madrid| Apr 17, 2012 | FC Bayern München 2 - Real Madrid CF 1 | UCL |
| Apr 14, 2012 | Real Madrid CF 3 - Sporting de Gijon 1 | LIGA |
| Apr 11, 2012 | Atletico Madrid 1 - Real Madrid CF 4 | LIGA |
| Apr 8, 2012 | Real Madrid CF 0 - Valencia CF 0 | LIGA |
| Apr 4, 2012 | Real Madrid CF 5 - APOEL Nicosia 2 | UCL |
| Spain - Copa del Rey | Jan 25, 2012 | FC Barcelona 2 - Real Madrid CF 2 | |
| Spain - Copa del Rey | Jan 18, 2012 | Real Madrid CF 1 - FC Barcelona 2 | |
| Spain - Primera Division | Dec 10, 2011 | Real Madrid CF 1 - FC Barcelona 3 | |
| Spain - Super Cup | Aug 17, 2011 | FC Barcelona 3 - Real Madrid CF 2 | |
| Spain - Super Cup | Aug 14, 2011 | Real Madrid CF 2 - FC Barcelona 2 |
Prediction
Mourinho has still only managed to beat Barça once in 10 attempts since
arriving in Madrid and with the champions in more desperate need of the
points, plus the advantage of playing at the Nou Camp, Guardiola's men
will be heavy favourites to reduce the gap at the top to just one point.
However, Madrid were the better side in the 2-2 draw between the two
sides in the Catalan capital in January and should they approach the
game with a similar attacking intent they could well cause a surprise
and all but seal the title in the process.
History, though, suggests otherwise, with a draw good enough for the
league leaders Mourinho will most likely set his team up to defend what
they have and that may well prove their downfall.
Barcelona 2 - 1 Real Madrid
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