Madrid vs Barca: El Clasico Set to Explode This Evening

All hands are on the table for this massive fixture and there are simply so many extra variables lining up to make this one more interesting, you have to agree that this match is shaping up to be an El Classico for the ages.

Not only is this Jose Mourinho’s first El Classico as a manager, but there is only a single point separating the sides in the league table. There’s a lot more than pride to play for here.

The bookmakers have made Barca the favourites and that’s totally understandable since they’re at home for this leg. You can back the Catalan club at an even-money price while Cristiano Ronaldo’s side can be backed at a 5/2 margin- a very enticing price if you fancy Spain to be painted white this evening. A draw rewards at 13/5 and you reckon that may be where the bulk of the neutral money might wind up.

Fixtures like this are tough to predict and that’s simply because there are so many match-winners on the pitch at any point. If you were to put together a world XI, you would easily be able to draw 1/2 to 3/4’s of the team from the starting lineups here.

A four goal game is a distinct possibility and there is a very solid payout awaiting anybody who successfully backs over 3.5 goals. You’ll find that trading around 13/8 with most major bookmakers.

Lionel Messi is the only player in the match trading at an odds-on price for an anytime goal. You’ll find the young Argentine sensation listed at a price of 10/11 while striker David Villa can be backed at even money.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s odds to score against Real are priced at 11/10 with Bojan at a 2/1 listing. Mesut Ozil is going to be closely-watched in this one and he’s a very tidy 9/2. If the German upstart is in the line-up for Madrid (and you reckon he certainly will be) then he’s bound to attract some volume at that price.

El Classico’s can always bring about high-drama and the bookies favour a penalty to be scored here at a 2/1 price (you’ll usually find it around 3/1) while a sending off is short-priced at 6/4. Should Sergio Busquets be booked for a foul on Ronaldo, you’re looking at 11/4 while a Ronaldo booking for a foul on Busquets trades at 6/1. Real manager Jose Mourinho is priced at 12/1 to be sent to the stands while Pep Guardiola would reward at a massive 33/1 should he be ejected from the bench.