Real Madrid vs Barcelona predictions: Rodrygo can inspire Real to decisive win
- Real Madrid have won eight of their last nine home league games
- Rodrygo has scored in three successive games for Real
- Recommended bet: Rodrygo to score and Real Madrid to win
Sunday’s El Clasico encounter is a chance for Real Madrid to get the Spanish title sewn up while a defeat for Barcelona would cap off a tough week, having already been knocked out of the Champions League.
The Catalans need to bounce back quickly after their collapse against Paris Saint-Germain, but could the tide be turning for departing boss Xavi after their good run faltered?
Team news
Real Madrid are sweating on the fitness of Vinicius Junior, who hobbled off against Manchester City in midweek. That is unlikely to lead to a change in style for the hosts, with Joselu likely to step in up front.
Barcelona could shuffle the pack in the aftermath of their heavy loss to PSG. The Catalans were missing Robert Lewandowski, Joao Cancelo and Inigo Martinez through suspension in the league last week, but they will all return for El Clasico.
The stats
Barcelona have already lost both home clashes with the top three clubs this season.
Real have won both encounters with Barcelona this term, scoring six times.
Rodrygo was among the scorers in Real’s 4-1 win when these two last met in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side average 2.47 goals per game at home in the league this term.
Real have scored nine times across their last three home games in all competitions.
Seven of Rodrygo’s 10 LaLiga goals have been scored at the Bernabeu this season.
Prediction
Real Madrid are worthy favourites for Sunday’s Clasico, despite the effort required to dump out Manchester City in midweek. The hosts have won eight of their last nine home league games and have won 13 of 15 home matches in LaLiga this term, losing none.
Real have also had the upper hand against Barca in both meetings this term. They won 2-1 away from home in the league before a 4-1 victory in Saudi Arabia. Both Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo caused all kinds of headaches for the Catalans in that clash and while injury doubts around Vinicius Jr are an issue, Rodrygo is the form man right now.
Rodrygo has scored in three successive games for Real, netting home and away against City and scoring a brace against Athletic Bilbao. The Brazilian has scored seven of his 10 LaLiga goals at home this term, while he netted against Barca in that meeting in January.
Rodrygo will surely cause huge problems for a Barca side that capitulated at 4-2 up on aggregate against PSG in midweek. With the visitors losing that key game and suffering defeats in both meetings with Spain’s top three, the hosts should prove too strong and Rodrygo can make the difference.
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