MOTD was great last night – and what a goal that was from Wayne Rooney even if the keeper looked at fault.
Hopefully El Clasico will round off a decent weekend of football by putting on a show in the Bernabeu tonight (8pm).
I'm reluctant to write off any side boasting Lionel Messi in their ranks as he's a footballing genius who can win a game on his own.
However, Real are flying this year and you look at a front three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema and wonder how you can stop them. Bale made a slow start to his La Liga career, hampered by injury, but he's emerged as a vital cog in the team and takes some of the heat of Ronaldo while setting up chances for others.
Real have won 17 in a row at home while Barca have triumphed in just five of their last 10 league games on the road so even those stats suggest a home success at a best 5-4 with Ladbrokes and others.
Both teams have scored in the last 14 meetings and 12 out of 13 have totalled three three or more goals so both markets are priced up short. Even over 3.5 goals is too short at a best 8-13 with Paddy Power.
If you fancy the unders pile in as you'll get good gets but for goals you're going to have to look at over 4.5 or team goals such as Barca three plus or over 1.5 in the first half.
Real have netted three or more in seven of their last eight home outings and Barca's defence isn't the best at the moment.
Picking a first scorer is tough – Ronaldo has netted in seven of his previous 10 El Clasicos but could be beaten to the punch by Bale, Benzema or even Messi if he's given an early chance.
The Argentine hit a hat-trick last time out and while some say he's not at his best he's scored in eight out his last nine matches.
Ronaldo hit two against Schalke in midweek and twice rattled the woodwork when on a hat-trick. So if I had to choose one I'd take him to break the deadlock at a biggest 17-5 with 888sport.
Messi is second favourites at 4-1 with Betfred than others while good prices are available on Benzema (6-1, McBookie) and Bale (7-1, William Hill). Either of those two could be backed to score at anytime as an alternative.
Recommended Bets
Real Madrid
(5-4, Ladbrokes)
Ronaldo to score first
(17-5, 888sport)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
They are due a draw..that’s what I’ll be doing.
My bets on the REAL MADRID v BARCELONA game…
£25 BTTS
£25 OVER 2.5
Just been to mark Jarvis seen real to win both teams score price 3/1 . I think this bet is worth a punt .
I’m going with Ronaldo to score last in this game at 3/1 with Paddy Power who refund the bet if it loses and Messi scores anytime.
He’s scored 23 goals in the 90th + min so worth a shot. Last time I tried this bet he scored in the 90th min before Huntalaar scored that belter in the champions league first leg!
Messi and Ronaldo both score 3/1 skybet
over 3.5 is 6/5 with bet365, dunno where paddys getting his odds from
Cant do 2 players to score anytime for Messi n Ronaldo in store an for a change i hit withdraw on friday from ma account :) Agree with Mr F an a wincast Bale at 10/3 sounds good. 2-2 cover bet an 2-2 Messi/Fabregas scorecast. No Sanchez for Barcalona a hear. Be an ‘El Classico’ anyway am sure. Enjoy! :)
I’ve gone for 2 pts
Real Madrid win only got 11/10 coral
1pt
Real Madrid -1 10/3
just have a feeling ronaldo and co will want to put barca out of the title race.
G luck guys
10/3 Bale is skybet n Fabregas 2-2 is 120/1 William Hill n Messi 2-2 is measly 55/1 same shop. Fancy a 3-2 either way too(Madrid a go)but with first scorer Its hard going an cant back em all,can you? :P
Btts and Real to wim looks good
Win*
Anyone think that Real will be happy with a draw a point will keep them top, it could be like the Barca v At Madrid game,both teams good at winning the ball back and cancelling each other out, so under 2.5 maybe?
No way will Real don’t sit back in any games.
Capone…see what your gettin at but surely not cause A.Madrid can defend an counter,one o the best at it. These 2 all out with they attackers. Am $1 on Ramos n Iniesta first ping too. Ill end up 8 bets on. :P
0.0 written all over it barca cant afford to loose and real can take a draw as 4 points ahead of barca 0.0 is 15/1 slap 50 on that and u can run all the way to the bank
Mike u will be only person on planet doing 0-0 will be at least 3goals actually thinking doing 3-2 and 4-2 real think it will be cracker
Over 4.5 @ 3s seems ok.quite with the majority of real win but cant rule at team out wiv messi.
Haha Mike, I’d need a triple bypass anytime a striker takes a shot.
I don’t know it’s a tough one to call,but these games usually are real tight maybe Madrid 1-0 or 1-1
Recoba, I’m just scared of getting burned again that Barca v At Madrid done me for £360 on over 2.5 goals
Capone31, it might be tight but they’re not usually tight. I’d hate to be watching and hoping for a 0-0 draw.
Surely to much passion, need for points and overall talent going forward for a tight game.but who knows
I think Real 4-1 has a chance, after watching Sociedad beat Barca a cpl of weeks ago Real are way much more potent in attack, coupled with Barcelona inability to defend. I think Real will want to put down a marker tonight for the rest of the season.
How about Ramos (1.55) or Mascherano (2.00) to receive a card?
Alves 11/8 & Neymar 2/1 to be booked/sent off @BetVictor
Alves is a good shout as likely to be marking Ronaldo.
Ramos seems to always be sent off in big games. He’s had 18 red cards in his career.
Anyone have card history for the H2H?
Real: López; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Alonso, Modrić, di María; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale.
Barcelona XI v Real Madrid: Valdés; Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Fábregas, Neymar, Messi
Dani Alves 1st booking 10/1 @BetVictor
Am on Ramos 2-0 200/1
These games are so unpredictable so whatever you fancy – bak the opposite!!! Haha
Just won a 6/1 double in play £10 stake.
Real Madrid ll and Napoli were both down to 10 men so backed the away double :)
Lazio 11/8 to beat Milan? That looks too good to be true. Both are unpredictable though, aren’t they?
own goal @ 9/1
Anyone who fancies a complete flip of the coin gamble…
Team to kick off
Real Madrid 1.90
Barcelona 1.90
Never seen such a bet…haha
I can see real running riot. Barcelona not good enough at the back. Mascherano wont be able to handle Ronaldo and benzema in the air gonna take real to win -1
3-2 barca
Bets on – check
Shower – check
Onesie – check
Wee one in bed – check
Mrs upstairs reading fav magazine – check
Bulmers on ice – check
C’mon!!! All set for the best game of football ever!!!
WEIRD AL, best game ever? Not even the best game of the weekend. Check this out http://www.youtube.c…eature=youtu.be
Real Madrid 100% Barcelona have improved but only because of messi returning RM are overall better with 3 top scorers and strong defense I’d reckon 3-2 Rm
Who said 0-0.lol
Iniesta 9″
If Varlsberg made players INIESTA
Over 3.5 goals 4/7 put 100 on it
Any tips to cover the bet?
Top start to game.my over 4.5 is lookin ok
I knew there would be goals in this haha
3 -2 looking good
What a game!! Well worth missing lambing live for :)
My 3-2 and 4-2 looking good would complete great day also waiting juve 4 fourfold
Ma brother juat sent me a picture of his fiver scorecast Iniesta 3-2 Barca 175/1
Ronaldo to score anytime 13/10 on bet365 at the moment
What I meant mr f was biggest fixture ever, old firm aside its the game I look forward to most. But to be honest 4 goals in 45 minutes and some excellent football – its a great game
WEIRD AL, check the link. I was joking!
Where do you begin if you want a bet in play? haha. What.a.game.
Game of weeki
without doubt 1 of the bets el classicos ive ever seen, didnt some clown say it wouldnt even be the best game of the weekend
OH DEAR
Mr Blond, it was possibly the second best game of the weekend.
Mr Blond, it was possibly the second best game of the weekend.
Capone31, I tipped up over 3.5 but was so short I bet on over 4.5 – just wish I tipped that and maybe even more. Had a feeling there would be loads of goals. Right, that was good stuff. Off to walk the dug and see how the Scottish Premiership highlights compare and then it’s MoTD. I hope I’ve some ice left.
the money I made in play on this game was great. I initially backed Madrid before kick off but during the match bet on next team to score, a penalty to be given and then barca to win 4-3 when Ramos was sent off. pure quality
Get in there barca
Phone wouldn’t load it sorry mr f
WEIRD AL, probably just as well.
What a game tho truly superb
“a was robbed by a little old lady in a motorised cart,n a didnt even see it coming” shockin dive by that wee tart Neymar,tripping himself up! Or am 99% sure Madrid win.
Some game but! Wish a just sat back n enjoyed instead of grumbling about loss poor decisions etc. An ‘El Classico’ indeed :)