Real Madrid vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips (12 January)

In a very tense match with Mallorca in the semi-final, Real Madrid won without being precise or reassuring in the game. As usual in the end since this Real Madrid always manages to get out of trouble without being dominant like his evening opponent. Authors of a good first period, the Merengue never materialized and it was during the 2nd act, although much less successful in the game, that they scored the 3 goals in a 3-0 victory. Last year, Casa Blanca won the competition by tearing apart the Barcelona following a hat-trick from Vinicius Jr, notably 4-1. Remember that in La Liga, the 15-time winner of the Champions League took charge at the Bernabéu against Barça in October, up to 9 lengths behind first place. But after several contrasting weeks at Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid regained the lead by beating Valencia on January 3, 10 against 11 at Mestalla 1-2. The Madrilenians are undefeated for 8 matches in all competitions and are riding on 5 consecutive victories and they have already won 2 titles this season with the Intercontinental Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.

As a reminder, this season, Madrid is aiming for a total of 7 titles. Barcelona clearly needs to win a title to confirm its good first half of the season despite the decline in the league over the last 7 days played with only 1 victory. Proof of their good start to the season, the Culers are in 2nd position in the Champions League behind Liverpool and they are not hiding in the big posters. This is evidenced by their victories against Bayern 4-1, Dortmund 2-3 and above all, against Real Madrid during the Clasico in October at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu 0-4. In the semi-final, the Blaugrana beat Athletic Bilbao, being, in sequence, put in great danger but they were still able to make the difference in a 0-2 victory. A few days earlier, the Blaugrana had defeated Barbastro in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey 0-4.

Affected by a virus, Luka Modric, heroic scorer for Valencia in the league and in the Copa del Rey a few days later, missed his first match of the season with the Merengue against Mallorca. The Croatian international is not sure he will play again this evening (to be continued). On the other hand, let us note the recorded packages of Carvajal, Militao, and Joan Martinez, all three victims of a serious knee injury. Aurélien Tchouaméni left in the 2nd period following a head impact in an aerial duel. Tests have been carried out and the French international is finally fit to play this evening. We will now see if he starts in the central hinge or if the young talent from the training center Raul Asencio takes his place, which would be wise against a fast, sharp and thunderous Barcelona attack this season. Mute in the semi-final, Kylian Mbappé made a difference on Mafféo when he had the opportunity to play on the left but that was clearly not enough for a player of his caliber.

The boss of this Real Madrid is not Vinicius, nor Rodrygo or even Valverde but the English international and 3rd in the last Ballon d'Or, Jude Bellingham, again a scorer against Mallorca after his decisive pass and his goal against Valencia in La Liga. The Englishman has scored 8 goals in his last 12 matches in all competitions with the Merengue. Finally, Laporta can breathe since Dano Olmo and Pau Victor were able to be registered with the lists of the Spanish federation despite the very strong controversy which followed this decision. But very clearly, even without them, Barça is progressing with talents like Pedri, Casado, Raphinha, Lewandowski and above all one of the jewels of the new generation, Lamine Yamal (scorer in the semi-final). It will be recalled that Christensen and Ter Stegen are out, as is Marc Bernal who is suffering from a ruptured cruciate ligament.