Real Madrid vs Barcelona odds and predictions: Who is the favorite to win the Copa del Rey Clásico?
Real Madrid have lifted the Copa del Rey just twice in 25 years but head into this evening’s semi-final first leg as the favourites.
Real Madrid play host to their old foes Barcelona this evening in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals. This will be the 36th time that the two clubs have met in the competition - with Madrid seeking their first title since 2014; first they must get past the club to have won this tournament more than anyone else. Barcelona have lifted the Cup 31 times, the most recent triumph coming just two seasons ago.
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It might seem as though Madrid have had bigger fish to fry, as they have tended to put the Copa to one side to concentrate on LaLiga and the Champions League. Nevertheless, another piece of silverware is up for grabs and if there’s a chance to win it - and deny their arch enemies a place in the final at the same time, that’s all the motivation they need. Plus, the treble is still on...
Madrid, the favourites
Carlo Ancelotti’s go into the first leg with the advantage of playing in front of their own fans and as the bookies’ favourites. They also have the edge in the head-to-head figures, but only just - in the 17 previous Cup ties played at the Bernabéu, Madrid have won seven, Barça have won five and five have ended level. This will be the seventh time that Madrid and Barcelona have met at the semi-final stage - Los Blancos advanced to the final four times from those previous meetings and Barça on three occasions. Interestingly, only once did one of the two go on to be crowned champions after a Clásico semi-final - in 1993 when Madrid beat Zaragoza in Valencia...
Whatever happened in the past will have no bearing on tonight’s first leg, the form book goes right out of the window when it comes to El Clásico. In LaLiga, Barcelona top the table on 59 points, seven ahead of Madrid. The bookmakers have Ancelotti’s team at -100 to win the first leg, with Barcelona at +275 to come away with an advantage and +200 if the match ends in a draw. That means you could double your money with a $10 bet if Madrid win today.