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Preview: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona

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

Real Madrid welcome old foes Barcelona to the Spanish capital on Wednesday in the first leg of their semi-final in the Copa del Rey.

Madrid sit some 15 points behind the Catalan outfit at the top of the La Liga table, meaning that this competition, along with the Champions League, has taken on added importance in the second part of the season.

Jose Mourinho's side enter the match on the back of a 31-match unbeaten run at the Bernabeu, but they have won just one of their last eight home matches against their opponents on Wednesday.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have won eight of their last nine away matches in all competitions. They also knocked Real Madrid out at this stage of the Copa del Rey last season, before going on to claim the trophy against Atletico Bilbao.

Mourinho will be without Iker Casillas and Pepe with long-term injuries. Meanwhile, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao and Angel di Maria are all serving suspensions. Antonio Adan should therefore start in goal, although new signing Diego Lopez could also come into contention.

Barcelona will have Gerard Pique back from suspension, while Jordi Alba, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta should all return having sat out Sunday's 5-1 victory over lowly Osasuna.

Recent form:

Real Madrid: DWWDW
Barcelona: WDLWW

Possible lineups:

Real Madrid: Adan; Arbeloa, Albiol, Varane, Marcelo; Khedira, Alonso; Ozil, Modric, Ronaldo; Benzema

Barcelona: Pinto; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Pedro, Messi, Iniesta

Sports Mole says: 2-2


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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid31246167204778
2Barcelona31217362342870
3GironaGirona31205663392465
4Atletico MadridAtletico31194859362361
5Athletic Bilbao31169651292257
6Real Sociedad311311745331250
7Valencia31138103432247
8Real BetisBetis31111283837145
9Villarreal31109124954-539
10Getafe31912103743-639
11Osasuna31116143644-839
12Las PalmasLas Palmas31107142935-637
13Sevilla31810133944-534
14AlavesAlaves3188152638-1232
15Mallorca31613122536-1131
16Rayo Vallecano31613122538-1331
17Celta Vigo31610153346-1328
18CadizCadiz31413142141-2025
19Granada3138203260-2817
20Almeria31111193062-3214


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