15/2 Real Madrid vs Barcelona Bet Builder Tips, Prediction
The Copa del Rey semifinals will feature El Clasico, as Real Madrid host Barcelona in the first leg of their two-legged final-four tie. Madrid and Barcelona have played twice already this season, with the Spanish giants meeting in La Liga and in the Supercopa de Espana final.
Real Madrid claimed the spoils in the teams’ La Liga match, 3-1, at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teams’ Supercopa de Espana final match in Saudi Arabia ended in favour of Barcelona, 3-1. Now, the two sides are just two matches from the Copa del Rey final.
Los Blancos have not won the Copa del Rey since 2014, while Barcelona lifted the domestic cup in 2021. On the other side of the tournament’s bracket, Osasuna will face off with Athletic Bilbao.
Sportsbooks’ best betting odds on Real Madrid winning at full-time are 10/11. Barcelona are at odds of 3/1 to win, while a draw is at the best betting odds of 5/2. Let’s explore some ideas for a bet builder for the Copa del Rey.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona Bet Builder
Full-time result: Real Madrid to win
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Barcelona are suddenly on a two-match losing streak in all competitions. The Blaugrana lost 2-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 playoff. The defeat was followed by a shock loss to Almeria in La Liga by a 1-0 score.
Real Madrid are now seven points off first-place Barcelona in the La Liga standings. Although it is still a sizable gap for the Catalans, it isn’t unsurmountable. Madrid go into the match in good form following a 5-2 come-from-behind win against Liverpool in the Champions League last-16 first leg and a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the derby at the weekend.
Barcelona have played better in recent head-to-head meetings with Real Madrid. Three of the last four El Clasico matches in all competitions were wins for Barcelona. The Blaugrana won’t have striker Robert Lewandowski available to play. The Polish striker suffered a hamstring injury at the weekend against Almeria. Without Lewandowski and playing at the Bernabeu, Barcelona should struggle. Our betting tip is to select Real Madrid to win.
Both teams to score: YES
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Real Madrid’s defence has been guilty of conceding goals this season. They go into the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals with back-to-back matches ending with both teams scoring.
Madrid came from behind to defeat Liverpool 5-2 last week in the Champions League. They followed it up with a 1-1 draw in the Madrid Derby versus Atletico. Barcelona may be top of the La Liga table, but they have struggled against the top teams in Europe this season, including Real Madrid.
Forget Madrid’s defeat in Saudi Arabia in the Supercopa de Espana final. Los Blancos should be much better in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal at home. The last two head-to-head matches between Madrid and Barca finished 3-1. Our betting tip is for both teams to score goals.
Total goals: Over 2.5 goals
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The teams combined for over 2.5 goals in their two previous matches this season. The trend could continue with Madrid and Barcelona combining for more than 2.5 goals on Thursday night.
Seven of the last eight El Clasico matches in all competitions finished with over 2.5 goals. Although both teams are coming off matches with a low total of goals, El Clasico in the Copa del Rey could see scoring.
Two of Real Madrid’s last four matches in all competitions saw over 2.5 goals. Madrid averaged 2.2 goals scored per match in their opening 15 home matches of the season. Barcelona saw an average of 2.13 goals scored per game in their opening 18 away fixtures.
Total cards for Barcelona: Over 3.5 cards
Real Madrid received 41 cards in their opening 23 fixtures in La Liga. Los Blancos averaged 1.78 cards per fixture in the league. Meanwhile, Barcelona saw 57 cards in their opening 23 La Liga fixtures. The Blaugrana averaged 2.48 cards.
La Liga referees are not afraid to brandish a card, especially in a big fixture. El Clasico matches are notorious for their intense atmosphere and fiery play. Four yellow cards were given out to players in the teams’ La Liga El Clasico earlier this season in Madrid. The Super Cup edition of the El Clasico in January also saw four yellow cards.
Our betting tip is to back over 3.5 cards between Madrid and Barcelona. Thursday’s match will be overseen by referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero. He has refereed 12 matches in La Liga this season, giving 25.83 fouls per game and 5.08 yellow cards a match. In total, Munuera Montero has handed out 61 yellow cards and seven red cards in 12 fixtures!
Vinicius Jr to score anytime
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Vinicius Jr has become one of the world’s elite players this season. The Brazilian was always a good player, but he has recently risen to superstar status at Real Madrid.
Vinicius has 18 goals in 36 matches in all competitions this season. The Brazilian scored all 18 of those goals playing on the left wing, the position he has played in all 36 appearances for Madrid this season. Vinicius has played in two Copa del Rey matches this season, scoring two goals and assisting one.
The Brazilian winger hasn’t set the world on fire playing against Barcelona. He has just two goals in 11 all-time appearances. However, Vinicius Jr is more important than ever to Real Madrid’s attack. Our betting tip is to back Vinicius Jr to score anytime against Barcelona.
