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Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Barcelona welcome Real Madrid to the Camp Nou on Tuesday in the second leg of their semi-final clash in the Copa del Rey.

The two La Liga giants played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg last month, which leaves the tie delicately poised with at least 90 minutes of football to come.

Barcelona have just stuttered in recent weeks with a 2-0 loss to AC Milan in the Champions League followed by a slender 2-1 win over Sevilla in the league at the weekend.

The Catalan outfit are currently on a 22-match unbeaten run on their own patch, however, while Real Madrid's away form this season has been far from spectacular, with five league defeats on the road.

Barcelona have won just one of their last six matches against Real Madrid, but are on course to regain the La Liga title this season. They currently sit top of the standings with 68 points, 16 clear of third-placed Real Madrid.

The world's best two players will also be keen to impress on Tuesday with Lionel Messi scoring 17 goals in his last 23 games against Real Madrid, while Cristiano Ronaldo has seven in his last seven Clasicos.

Barcelona are expected to recall Carlos Puyol, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas to their starting side, but Adriano is still out with a thigh problem.

Real Madrid will also make changes from their 2-1 win over Deportivo La Coruna, with Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Ronaldo all returning.

The winner of the tie will advance to the final of the competition, where they will meet either Atletico Madrid or Sevilla, who clash on Wednesday.

Recent form:

Barcelona: DWWLW
Real Madrid: LWDWW

Possible lineups:

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Iniesta, Messi, Pedro

Real Madrid: Lopez; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Khedira, Alonso; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema

Sports Mole says: 3-2 (4-3 on aggregate)


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Matt Law
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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