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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
1Real Madrid20144247202746
2Atletico MadridAtletico20135234132144
3Barcelona20123552232939
4Athletic Bilbao20116331181339
5Villarreal209653831733
6Mallorca209381925-630
7Real Sociedad208481714328
8GironaGirona208482827128
9Rayo Vallecano206862323026
10Osasuna206862429-526
11Sevilla207582329-626
12Real BetisBetis206772226-425
13Celta Vigo2073102932-324
14Las PalmasLas Palmas2064102533-822
15Leganes205781929-1022
16Getafe204881417-320
17AlavesAlaves2055102432-820
18Espanyol2054111932-1319
19Valencia2037101929-1016
20Real ValladolidValladolid2043131439-2515


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