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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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