ANYONE tuning into El Clasico over the last few weeks would have witnessed Hell Clasico instead.
There have been more red cards than goals in three meetings between Barcelona and Real Madrid in three different tournaments.
Barca's total football was in danger of being snuffed out by Jose Mourinho's spoiling tactics until Lionel Messi decided enough was enough.
After both sides were reduced to 10 men in last week's Champions League semi-final first-leg clash, Messi took over.
Two flashes of genius fired Barca 2-0 up at the Bernabeu and there's no way back for Real on Tuesday night.
Barca are 1-40 with bet365 to reach the Wembley final and 7-10 with William Hill to add to their advantage.
I can see them doing just that against a Real side who are 16-1 with bet365 to qualify and 4-1 with Ladbrokes and Hills to win on the night.
Messi is the man to back at 7-2 to score first and he is 10-11 at Stan James to net at any time.
There have been five reds in the last four meetings between the sides – four to Real – and after the events of last week another is highly likely. A sending-off pays 11-8 with Chandler and none is 4-7 with bet365.
Recommendations
- Barca v Real red card (11-8, Chandler)
- Messi to score first (7-2, Paddy Power)
In December 2020 we sadly 
