LaLiga Tips: Back Barcelona to extend lead over Real Madrid with El Clasico victory

Dan Fitch
18 March 2023
3:00 min read

Who will come out on top when Real Madrid face Barcelona?

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Dan Fitch thinks that Barcelona will secure a decisive win in El Clasico, to put them in a strong position over title rival Real Madrid.

Fourth El Clasico of the season
Barcelona have won two and Real Madrid one
Hosts have nine-point LaLiga lead

Barcelona value to win another El Clasico

Barcelona 2.265/4 v Real Madrid 3.45; The Draw 3.65
Sunday 19 March, 20:00
Live on LaLigaTV and Viaplay Sports 1

The fourth El Clasico encounter this season between Barcelona and Real Madrid will take place on Sunday.

Barca have won two of the previous three matches, with Real Madrid claiming victory in the reverse LaLiga fixture. Xavi's team beat their rivals 3-1 in the Super Cup final and won 1-0 at the Bernabeu, in the first-leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the start of the month.

With the hosts having the last two El Clasico games, including a very recent one away from home, they should go into this match in a confident mood. They hold a nine-point lead over Real at the top of LaLiga and another victory would give them a commanding advantage.

Barcelona have won each of their last three games by a 1-0 margin, starting with that Copa del Rey semi-final clash. League victories against Valencia and Athletic Bilbao have followed.

This title bid has very much been based on defensive stability, for which Xavi should receive huge credit given the mess he inherited. The Catalan giants have only conceded eight goals in 25 LaLiga games this season.

Real Madrid ended a three-match winless run (D2 L1) over the weekend, when they beat Espanyol 3-1. They have subsequently defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League, to complete a 6-2 aggregate victory which has seen them move through to the quarter-finals.

The defence of last season's Champions League triumph is likely to act as a major distraction for Carlo Ancelotti's side, as they look to hunt Barcelona down. This match sees them at a disadvantage against a team that are out of Europe and have had a week to prepare.

Given their form, recent results against Real and their freshness, the home side look a good price at 2.265/4.

If you think that they can keep a clean sheet in the process, as they did when the teams last met, you can find odds of 4.216/5 for Barcelona to win to nil.

With Real Madrid's attacking prowess, that may be a risky bet. A Barcelona win and under 3.5 goals may be a safer proposition and is available as a Bet Builder double at 2.8415/8.

The game will see a shootout between the veteran goalscorers Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema. Lewandowski is 2.111/10 to score, with Benzema at 2.8815/8.

Back Barcelona to beat Real Madrid @

2.26

Osasuna have been keeping it tight

Osasuna 3.211/5 v Villarreal 2.568/5; The Draw 3.39/4
Sunday 19 March, 15:15
Live on LaLigaTV and Viaplay Sports 1

Earlier on Sunday, eighth placed Osasuna host a Villarreal side in sixth. Villarreal are unbeaten in their last three league games (W2 D1), but though they are in the better form, they could find life tough against Osasuna, who have seen a total of only two games scored across their last three games. Back 'No' in both teams to score at 1.9310/11.

Back 'No' in both teams to score when Osasuna host Villarreal @

1.93

Expect goals between relegation strugglers

Getafe 3.185/40 v Sevilla 2.747/4; The Draw 3.185/40
Sunday 19 March, 17:30
Live on LaLigaTV and Viaplay Sports 1

Getafe could climb out of the relegation zone when they take on Sevilla, who are only two points clear of the drop zone. The home side are in fighting form, with only one loss from their last six league games (W2 D3). Sevilla beat Almeria 2-1 last weekend, but are still struggling for consistency. You can combine both teams to score with over 2.5 goals and get odds of 2.83, with that bet landing in each of Getafe's last three games.

You can get a £5 free bet when you place a £5 Bet Builder on Newcastle v Manchester United on Sunday. You must opt-in. T&Cs apply.