Feb 26, 2013 8.00pm
1
3
HT : 1 2
FT
  • Jordi Alba 0' goal
  • goal Cristiano Ronaldo 0'
  • goal Raphael Varane 0'

Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Barcelona welcome Real Madrid to the Camp Nou on Tuesday in the second leg of their semi-final clash in the Copa del Rey.

The two La Liga giants played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg last month, which leaves the tie delicately poised with at least 90 minutes of football to come.

Barcelona have just stuttered in recent weeks with a 2-0 loss to AC Milan in the Champions League followed by a slender 2-1 win over Sevilla in the league at the weekend.

The Catalan outfit are currently on a 22-match unbeaten run on their own patch, however, while Real Madrid's away form this season has been far from spectacular, with five league defeats on the road.

Barcelona have won just one of their last six matches against Real Madrid, but are on course to regain the La Liga title this season. They currently sit top of the standings with 68 points, 16 clear of third-placed Real Madrid.

The world's best two players will also be keen to impress on Tuesday with Lionel Messi scoring 17 goals in his last 23 games against Real Madrid, while Cristiano Ronaldo has seven in his last seven Clasicos.

Barcelona are expected to recall Carlos Puyol, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas to their starting side, but Adriano is still out with a thigh problem.

Real Madrid will also make changes from their 2-1 win over Deportivo La Coruna, with Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Ronaldo all returning.

The winner of the tie will advance to the final of the competition, where they will meet either Atletico Madrid or Sevilla, who clash on Wednesday.

Recent form:

Barcelona: DWWLW Real Madrid: LWDWW

Possible lineups:

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Iniesta, Messi, Pedro

Real Madrid: Lopez; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Khedira, Alonso; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema

Sports Mole says: 3-2 (4-3 on aggregate)

Author photo

Written by

Share this article:
Subscribe to our newsletter

Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox.

Subscribe