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Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Barcelona and 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)


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Matt Law
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid17114237162137
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal157532725226
7Osasuna176742225-325
8Real Sociedad167361611524
9GironaGirona176472325-222
10Sevilla176471823-522
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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