La Liga: All eyes on Real Madrid v Barcelona this weekend

We’re into the final stretch in La Liga! As far as the title race is concerned, it is still a three-horse race. Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona lock horns on Saturday night, and we will have all the latest news and views ahead of that encounter. We will also take a look at the odds going into that monster showdown.

Lionel Messi looking to leave his mark on El Clasico once again

Once again, Lionel Messi has been mesmerizing for Barcelona this season. The talismanic Argentine striker tops the La Liga goalscoring charts so far with 23 goals to his name. And he loves an El Clasico showdown too! The 33-year-old made his first appearance against Real Madrid in 2005, and he has netted 26 times against Los Blancos.

Indeed, Messi has scored the most goals in El Clasico history and if that wasn’t enough, he has also supplied 14 assists. He has been in a rich vein of form of late, scoring seven times in his past five La Liga outings. You’d imagine Zinedine Zidane will be working on a game plan to thwart Messi!

• Barcelona to beat Real Madrid @5/4 with Casumo
• Total Goals Over 2.5 @4/7 with Casumo

Barcelona ramping up the pressure on leaders Atletico Madrid

Only a few weeks ago, it seemed that Atletico Madrid were cruising towards the La Liga title. However, Barcelona have kept themselves in the hunt by chalking up six wins on the trot to leave themselves just a point behind Diego Simeone’s charges. In stark contrast, Atletico have stuttered. In their first La Liga game after the international break, Atletico lost 1-0 away at Sevilla.

Barcelona to unveil new shirt for El Clasico against Real Madrid

Barcelona will be wearing an exclusive shirt for the game which will be held at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, as the Bernabeu is being renovated. New Barca president Joan Laporta loves the new strip. And this will be the first El Clasico he has watched as president in 11 years. Back in his first season, Barca beat Real 2-0 in the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid warm up for El Clasico showdown in style

Real are also a side in form. This is a critical week in their campaign, and they warmed up for El Clasico in style with a 3-1 win at home to Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. Vinicius Junior helped himself to a double as Real had too much for the Reds.

Real Madrid can’t afford any more slip ups

The result against Liverpool will have left the Real camp in buoyant mood ahead of El Clasico. With nine games left to go until the end of the season, every match is a must win from here on in. While Atletico have stumbled recently, Simeone’s men have only lost three times this season. Real therefore, can’t always bargain on results going their way.

Also, Real have a slightly tough run-in as three of their last four games sees them take on Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal. Zidane’s side are the reigning La Liga champions, and they will be determined that the title stays with them for at least another season.

• Lionel Messi to score at least two goals for Barcelona against Real Madrid @13/2 with Casumo
• Both teams to score @1/2 with Casumo

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, training sessions have had to adhere to strict protocols. Los Blancos will be keeping an eye on Sergio Ramos, who missed the win over Liverpool with a muscle strain. The centre-back will be monitored, but he could miss out on El Clasico.

Real Madrid v Barcelona: A look back on past El Clasico showdowns

El Clasico is one of the biggest derbies in the world, as Real Madrid v Barcelona is one of the fiercest rivalries in football. However, Barcelona have traditionally dominated the league encounters. Saturday’s clash will be the 56th meeting in the league between these two superpowers. Barca have come out on top 26 times, while Real have recorded 15 wins.

Nevertheless, Real will take comfort from the fact they have fared well against Barca in more recent league clashes. Indeed, of the past three La Liga meetings, Real have won two of these. They were 2-0 winners at the Bernabeu 13 months ago, with Vinicius and Mariano popping up with the goals.