Opta Big Match Stats: Messi to grab Barcelona an away goal

Spanish Football / Michael Lintorn / 18 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

At just 24, Lionel Messi is one of the all-time leading Clasico goal-getters

"In nine matches at the Bernabeu, Messi has only once failed to score or assist a goal."

Michael Lintorn uses Opta's wide range of Clasico stats to argue that the first leg of Real Madrid and Barcelona's Copa del Rey clash will end level with lots of goals, at least one scored by Lionel Messi...

Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to lose in the Copa del Rey with Real Madrid
With each Clasico, it becomes tougher to trust a Real Madrid side that, as cited elsewhere on these pages, haven't beaten Barcelona in 90 minutes in 12 tries since Pep Guardiola arrived there in 2008. The above stat, as well as a run of just three Clasico losses in seven compared to five in a row before that, suggests that they might not be defeated either though. With this tie decided over two legs, Barcelona wouldn't be too dismissive of a draw, while having seen his team score on their last two trips to the Camp Nou, Jose Mourinho may indeed be delighted with a 0-0 in the capital. However...

Barça have scored in 12 of their last 13 meetings with Real Madrid in all competitions
And they will expect to enhance that remarkable strike rate as Real Madrid have shown a disinterest in clean sheets rarely associated with Mourinho sides. The La Liga leaders have conceded in their last seven as hosts, leaking 11 times over that period, so to avoid a potentially fatal first-leg reverse, will likely need to fight fire with fire. Barcelona have averaged two goals a game across their last five visits to the Bernabeu, hinting that a repeat of August's 2-2 Super Cup draw could be on the cards.

In nine matches at the Bernabeu, Messi has only once failed to score or assist a goal (October 2006 - 7 goals, 5 assists in total)
As impressive as this is, it's only one of three different Opta trends indicating that the Ballon d'Or winner should be backed to score tonight. They also reveal that Messi has scored or assisted 21 of the 35 goals that Barcelona have notched against Real Madrid with him on the pitch, with his personal tally of 13 in the fixture leaving him one shy of the Barcelona record held by Cesar.

Recommended Bets:
Real Madrid and Barcelona to draw @ [3.45]
Real Madrid and Barcelona to draw 2-2 @ [15.0]
Lionel Messi to score @ [2.34]