Champions League betting – Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Barcelona vs Real Madrid betting preview, odds and tips

It’s another EL Clasico on Tuesday when the two Spanish giants clash again in the Semi Final of the Champions League. This is the fourth meeting in 18 days between the two clubs and perhaps the most important with a place in the Champions League final at stake. Barcelona take a 2-0 advantage into the second leg on Tuesday and have not lost at home to Real since 2007.

Barcelona

Barcelona took revenge for their Copa del Rey defeat in the first leg with a controversial away win. It was a rather scrappy game until Leo Messi brought the game to life with two great goals. Barca also recorded a 5-0 home win over Mourinho’s men earlier in the season and so are rightly favourites for this tie and best priced at 1.67 with Bet365 to get the win. Pep Guardiola will be hoping to progress to the final for the second time as Barcelona manager as he looks for a La Liga and European Cup double this season. That man Messi has scored an unbelievable 52 goals this season and is therefore a great bet at 4.5 with Paddy Power to open the scoring on Tuesday night. A strong defence has also been key for the Blaugrana this season as they have only conceded 19 goals in 34 league games.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid lost a bad tempered first leg at home to Barca on Tuesday and followed it up with a 3-2 home defeat to relegation threatened Real Zaragoza on Saturday. Pepe and Mourinho were both shown red last Wednesday and so the defender will be suspended whilst Jose watches from the stands. The defeat could be critical for Madrid as they will have to score 3 times against a solid defence if they are to progress to the final. Real will also have to try and keep their temperament in Barcelona if they are to stand any chance as they have had 4 players sent off against their rivals this season. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner in the cup final a few weeks ago and looks the most likely to get on the score sheet for Los Merengues, so odds of 3.0 from coral for the forward to score at any time are looking very good. There are also decent odds of 2.88 available from Bet365 for the away side to score first.

Highlighted Bets

Barcelona WIN – 1.67 Bet365
2-1 home WIN – 9.0 Unibet
Leo Messi to score first – 4.5 Paddy Power
Ronaldo anytime scorer – 3.0 Coral
Madrid to score first – 2.88 Bet365

By Sam Markham

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