Played
January 31, 2013 7:00 AM EST
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu — Madrid
Referee:‬ Carlos Clos‎
Attendance:‬ 80000‎
 

Real Madrid-Barcelona Preview: Los Blancos look to draw first blood in pivotal cup tie

The capital club's recent revival will be put to the test when they host the runaway Liga leaders in a much-awaited Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu

By Karthick Arvinth

More On :  FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo & Sergio Ramos - Real Madrid 4-0 Getafe
Getty
  PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL MADRID

Adan
Arbeloa, Albiol, Varane, Marcelo
Khedira, Alonso
Ozil, Modric, Ronaldo
Benzema
BARCELONA

Pinto
Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba
Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas
Pedro, Messi, Iniesta

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has a number of selection problems heading into Wednesday's Clasico showdown against Barcelona.

Iker Casillas (broken hand) and Pepe (ankle) are out, meaning Antonio Adan and new signing Diego Lopez battle it out in goal, while Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria all serve suspensions.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start despite hurting his ankle in Sunday's 4-0 win over Getafe.

Gerard Pique returns from suspension for Barcelona, who have a fully-fit squad at their disposal.

Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas are all likely to be recalled to the starting XI after they were rested for the weekend victory over Osasuna.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Real Madrid are on a 31-match unbeaten run at the Santiago Bernabeu in all competitions (W26, D5).
  • The Castilian side have won just one of their last eight home encounters against Barcelona (W1, D2, L5).
  • Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured, right) scored his 100th goal at the Bernabeu in the win over Getafe to take his overall tally for Real to 179 in 176 matches.
  • Barcelona have won eight of their last nine away matches across all competitions.
  • The Blaugrana ran out 4-3 aggregate winners in last season's Copa del Rey semi-final against Blancos.
  • Pedro is in line to make his 200th appearance for Barca.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Real Madrid CF 1-3 FC Barcelona
    18.22 %
  • Real Madrid CF 3-1 FC Barcelona
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  • Real Madrid CF 2-1 FC Barcelona
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Head to Head
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ 03/03/2013 Real Madrid CF 2 - FC Barcelona 1
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Spain - Copa del Rey ‎(ESPC)‎ 27/02/2013 FC Barcelona 1 - Real Madrid CF 3
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Spain - Copa del Rey ‎(ESPC)‎ 31/01/2013 Real Madrid CF 1 - FC Barcelona 1
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Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ 08/10/2012 FC Barcelona 2 - Real Madrid CF 2
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Spain - Super Cup ‎(ESPS)‎ 30/08/2012 Real Madrid CF 2 - FC Barcelona 1
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Last Five Matches
Real Madrid CF
18/05/2013Real Madrid CF 1 - Atletico Madrid 2ESPC
12/05/2013Espanyol 1 - Real Madrid CF 1LIGA
09/05/2013Real Madrid CF 6 - Malaga 2LIGA
05/05/2013Real Madrid CF 4 - Valladolid 3LIGA
01/05/2013Real Madrid CF 2 - Borussia Dortmund 0UCL
FC Barcelona
20/05/2013FC Barcelona 2 - Valladolid 1LIGA
13/05/2013Atletico Madrid 1 - FC Barcelona 2LIGA
06/05/2013FC Barcelona 4 - Betis 2LIGA
02/05/2013FC Barcelona 0 - FC Bayern München 3UCL
28/04/2013Athletic de Bilbao 2 - FC Barcelona 2LIGA
Odds
Returns: Real Madrid $26.00 Betfair 100% first deposit bonus up to $200
Returns: Draw $0.00 Betfair 100% first deposit bonus up to $200
Returns: Barcelona $11.80 Betfair 100% first deposit bonus up to $200
Team News
Available Squads
13Diego López RodríguezGoalkeeper
17ArbeloaDefender
19Raphaël VaraneDefender
2Ricardo CarvalhoDefender
21CallejónStriker
5Michael EssienMidfielder
10Mesut ÖzilMidfielder
6Sami KhediraMidfielder
14Xabi AlonsoMidfielder
7Cristiano RonaldoStriker
9Karim BenzemaStriker
13AdánGoalkeeper
18Raúl Albiol TortajadaDefender
12MarceloDefender
8KakáMidfielder
16Luka ModricMidfielder
26MorataStriker
20Gonzalo HiguaínStriker
13José Pinto ColoradoGoalkeeper
2Daniel AlvesDefender
18Jordi AlbaDefender
3PiquéDefender
5Carles PuyolDefender
16BusquetsMidfielder
4Cesc FàbregasMidfielder
8Andrés Iniesta LujánMidfielder
6XaviMidfielder
10Lionel MessiStriker
17PedroStriker
1Víctor ValdésGoalkeeper
21AdrianoDefender
25Alex SongMidfielder
14Javier MascheranoMidfielder
11Thiago AlcántaraMidfielder
9Alexis SánchezStriker
7David VillaStriker
Results
First Leg
Times In EST
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Diego Costa Diego Costa
Striker
Atl. Madrid 		8 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid 		7 1
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla 		6 3
David Villa David Villa
Striker
Barcelona 		5 0
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona 		4 0