Real Madrid vs Barcelona 02/03/20

2 March 2020

Weekend’s La Liga (LL) action concludes with a blockbuster, heavyweight clash at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, as Real Madrid and Barcelona battle it out for the top spot.

A goalless draw at the Camp Nou in the reverse fixture now means Los Blancos have failed to beat their arch-rivals in seven consecutive league H2Hs (D3, L4). Moreover, Real’s last LL home win over Barcelona dates back to 2014, with the hosts drawing a blank in three of four such H2Hs since (D1, L3). Zinedine Zidane’s men are in the midst of a crisis, having picked up just one win in their last five competitive outings (D1, L3) and have also failed to secure a triumph in their three previous home fixtures (D1, L2). Each of those three matches saw over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet, with Real drawing first blood only once. But, one of two sides yet to lose at home so far this season (W8, D4), Los Merengues have allowed the opening goal (if any) in just two of 12 LL home games (W1, D1).

Meanwhile, the visitors head to the Bernabeu on a run of four consecutive league victories, three of which have yielded a single-goal margin. However, the Catalans have failed to impress away from home recently, wrapping up just one win in their last four LL road trips (D2, L1), conceding precisely two goals per match on three of those occasions. Surprisingly slow away starters, the reigning Spanish champions have allowed the opening goal in eight of 12 LL away fixtures (66.67%), although losing 37.5% such matches (W2, D3, L3). Also, only 29.03% of their total LL goals scored came on the road (18/62), with the majority of them (12) arriving in the second half.