All eyes will be on the Camp Nou for the crucial Copa Del Rey clash on Wednesday, 5 April, with kick-off set for 3:00pm ET.
The eternal rivalry of Spanish football, Barcelona vs Real Madrid, returns this week with a place in the final of the Copa Del Rey up for grabs. There are few fixtures in the world of football that match the passion and the stakes of El Clasico and there is plenty on the line again.
Barcelona have all but wrapped up the league, pulling 12 points clear of Madrid with a thrilling 2-1 victory against Los Blancos at Camp Nou last month. But while Real Madrid have been off the pace in La Liga this year they retain the aura and the experience to perform in knock-out competitions. Carlo Ancelotti’s men swept aside Liverpool in the Champions League and will be confident of overcoming a one-goal first leg defeat on Wednesday.
When does Barcelona vs Real Madrid start?
The game between Barcelona and Real Madrid starts on Wednesday, 5 April, 2023 at the following times:
How to watch Barcelona vs Real Madrid?
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Barcelona vs Real Madrid preview
Barcelona
Xavi Hernandez was under pressure to bring silverwear to the club this season and looks certain to lift the La Liga trophy this season for the first time since 2018/19. The Catalan club have been unerringly consistent in the league but have struggled in European competition, being eliminated from both the Champions League and then the Europa League.
A Copa Del Rey victory would turn this from an impressive season into a real milestone in the club’s history, and one that could pave the way for future successes. Barcelona were a disciplined defensive unit in the first leg’s 1-0 win at the Bernabeu and they will need to bring that same fortitude on Wednesday.
Real Madrid
As is often the case, Real Madrid have been a stark contrast to Barcelona this season. Where Xavi’s men have shown relentless consistency Madrid have been a team of highs and lows, a trait that has prevented them making a real challenge for the title this year. But with the likes of Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr, Luka Modric and others Los Blancos are a match for anyone in a one-off tie and will use all of the experience at their disposal.
Benzema’s form has tailed off from the incredible heights of last season but there are signs that he may be getting into his stride for the final months. He scored twice against Liverpool last month and plundered a seven-minute hat trick against Real Valladolid on Sunday.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid prediction
For the third time in a month the two biggest teams in Spain go head to head, with Real Madrid desperate to avoid losing all three. Barcelona have undoubtedly been the better, more consistent team this year but Madrid’s firepower and big game know-how will make things interesting. The hosts, however, should have enough to progress to the final.
Prediction: Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid (Barcelona progress 2-1)