Real Madrid vs Barcelona preview

April 15, 2011
By: Frank Beresford

The La Liga game between the Spanish giants will be the first of four El Clasicos that will be played within less than 20 days, since Real and Barcelona will also contest for the Copa del Rey title, as well as the place in the Champions League final.

Real Madrid enter this game on a high following the 5:0 aggregate win over Tottenham, but the La Liga title look to be lost already with the 8-point gap almost impossible to close even if they win this game.

Nonetheless, los Blancos want revenge for the 5:0 defeat in the first part of the season and the hosts will be very motivated to get one over their rivals.

Jose Mourinho faces several selection dilemmas, and with Lass Diarra unlikely to recover from hip injury, Marcelo could start in midfield. Karim Benzema will be preferred in attack to Emmanuel Adebayor and Gonzalo Higuain.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-2-1): Casillas – Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Arbeloa – Xabi Alonso, Khedira, Marcelo – Di Maria, Ronaldo – Benzema.

Barcelona have already secured the league title, but they obviously want to prove who is the boss by beating Real for the second time this season.

The Catalans easily qualified for the Champions League semis, where they will meet none other than Real, with Copa del Rey clash with los Blancos scheduled for midweek.

In the absence of Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets should be paired with Gerard Pique in the centre of defence, while Seydou Keita will act as the holding midfielder.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Valdez  – Alves, Pique, Busquets, Adriano – Iniesta, Keita, Xavi – Mess, Villa, Pedro.

Real Madrid are 2.80 (9/5) to win the game at William Hill, whereas Barca are 2.50 (3/2) with Paddy Power. Draw is quoted at 3.75 (11/4) at Victor Chandler.

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