Valencia last 5 matches: 

Valencia last 3 home matches: 

Barcelona last 5 matches: 

Barcelona last 3 away matches: 

*matches in all competitions

We have reached the semi-finals stage on the Copa del Rey with the prime favorite Barcelona up against a though adversary as they travel to Valencia for the first leg of the tie.

Valencia sailed past Levante in the previous round of the Cpa del Rey, trashing their adversaries with the aggregate score of 7-1, after a 4-1 scoreline at home and a clear 0-3 victory away.

Their biggest name defeated so far in the competition has been Sevilla, which they just edged due to an away goal, but Barcelona is another matter. Not a great form for them in recent matches if we take out the cup as Valencia failed to win any of their past 4 games in the Primera Division but they still hold chances, especially in this home match.

Barcelona on the other hand, defeated their arch rivals in the previous round with an aggregate score 4-3 against Real Madrid and are now considered top favorites for the trophy.

Morale in the team is not that high after they conceded yet another blow in the league with a goalless draw against Villarreal so this will be a crucial match for them in terms of confidence.

My pick: Barcelona to win ( over 2.5 goals )

Barcelona last 5 matches: 

Barcelona last 3 home matches: 

Real Madrid last 5 matches: 

Real Madrid last 3 away matches: 

*matches in all competitions

Second leg in the most interesting quarter-final of the Copa del Rey as Real Madrid travel to their biggest rival Barcelona trying to restore the one goal deficit from last week’s match.

Barcelona has the upper hand in this double leg battle as they managed a superb performance last week on Santiago Bernabeu, surpassing their opponents from start to finis, and grabbing a well deserved 1-2 victory.

They should now have an easier match on home pitch, at least in theory, as the biggest derby in football can change the victorious side fast. They managed to build on their success and trashed Mallorca 1-4 in the weekend, keeping their morale at top levels. Barcelona’s tactic should remain the same and no big changes should occur from last week’s cup game, with the Catalan keeper still needing to prove it’s value for the fans.

Real Madrid apparently with a mountain to climb, after they employed an ultra defensive tactic in the first leg, stunning every one as they held back on home ground, is expected to change formation.

They will clearly need to go on the offensive and this in turn can leave big gaps in their defense. So far Mourinho has been clearly inferior to it’s direct opponent and it will be interesting if he can make the change.

My pick: Barcelona to win ( over 2.5 goals )

*matches in all competitions

Real Madrid last 5 matches: 

Real Madrid last 3 home matches: 

Barcelona last 5 matches: 

Barcelona last 3 away matches: 

The first El Clasico of 2012 as Real Madrid faces Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, a two leg knock-out anticipated by many to establish the trophy winners.

Above all this will be once again a duel of coaches, a personal battle fought by Mourinho and Guardiola, won in latest matches the superior tactic of the Catalan coach.

Real Madrid has a slight advantage over their rivals as they have the home pitch and a better morale due to their position in the Primera Division table compared to Barcelona.

They suffered a painful defeat in their last game played against their rivals as Barcelona managed to humiliate Real Madrid on Santiago Bernabeu, 1-3 the final score.

Barcelona is seen as the favorite as far as betting odds go but their latest games played away have revealed problems with the team once thought to be invincible.

Their one all draw away to Espanyol followed by their 1-2 victory against Osasuna have raised flags in Barcelona’s squad with the team not being able to score whilst leaving gaps in defense.

My pick: Draw ( over 2.5 goals )

*matches in all competitions

Barcelona last 5 matches: 

Barcelona last 3 home matches: 

Real Betis last 5 matches: 

Real Betis last 3 away matches: 

Primera Division table positions: Barcelona - 2, Real Betis - 10

Sunday in the Primera Division as round no. 18 unfolds with raining champions Barcelona trying to close the gap from Real Madrid as they welcome Betis on Camp Nou.

Barcelona with a current total of 38 points in all 17 matches played, is 5 points below rivals Real Madrid after their rather disappointing one all draw against Espanyol last week, a match that showed real vulnerabilities and a modest performance throughout.

A different story all together on home pitch for Barcelona both in terms of results and play as they managed to win their last seven games played here without conceding any goals, in fact their last goal conceded on Camp Nou dates back from September.

Real Betis managed a great reentry in the Primera Division as they currently stand on a honorable 10th spot of the table with a total of 22 points, no less than 6 above the relegation zone.

Although their mission of remaining in the top league is far from over, with four victories in their last 5 matches played, Real Betis is on the right track.

My pick: Barcelona to win ( over 2.5 goals )

*matches in all competitions

Espanyol last 5 matches: 

Espanyol last 3 home matches: 

Barcelona last 5 matches: 

Barcelona last 3 away matches: 

Primera Division table positions: Espanyol - 8, Barcelona - 2

Derby in the city of Barcelona on Sunday as local rivals Espanyol and FC Barcelona go head to head in the first round of the Primera division this year.

Espanyol, as usual, the underdog of this battle as they currently hold the 8th spot in the table with a total of 23 points in all 16 matches played.

They have lost their first game of the year, conceding a surprising 2-1 away loss to Segunda Division team Cordoba in the Copa del Rey earlier this week but a game against the mighty Barcelona always brings out the best both in players and supporters.

Barcelona continuing their unbelievable run with 4-0 victory over Osasuna this week in the cup, reaching no less than 8 straight victories in which they conceded only one goal and scoring 34.

They where set to close the gap from bitter rivals Real Madrid which lead the Primera Division at the moment with a total of 40 points before the stage got under way but as Real trashed Granada with ease they can only win this one and wait for another chance.

My pick: Barcelona to win ( over 2.5 goals )

*matches in all competitions

Barcelona last 5 matches: 

Barcelona last 3 home matches: 

Osasuna last 5 matches: 

Osasuna last 3 away matches: 

Second day in the Spanish Copa del Rey and FC Barcelona takes that stage as they welcome an uncomfortable Osasuna team.

Barcelona displaying a superb form in recent matches with no less than seven straight victories, an impressive appetite for goal scoring a strong defense.

They trashed the virtually unknown L’Hospitalet in the previous round with an outstanding 10-0 aggregate looking keen on grabbing the trophy they lost last year against Real Madrid in the final.

Osasuna is known as a very challenging team to Spain’s top teams, with the power to motivate themselves and a determination that is to be appreciated.

Their form is great at the moment as the team managed four victories in their last 6 games played only to position themselves on a honorable 5th spot in the Primera Division. Most likely they will play a very defensive game here hoping to strike back on home ground but although their run is good in terms of results, their defense has flaws, Osasuna conceding goals in all past 6 matches played.

My pick: Barcelona to win ( over 2.5 goals )

*matches in all competitions

Real Madrid last 5 matches: 

Real Madrid last 3 home matches: 

Barcelona last 5 matches: 

Barcelona last 3 away matches: 

Primera Division table positions: Real Madrid - 1, Barcelona - 2

El Clásico, the most spectacular football game on the planet will kick off on Saturday with Real Madrid hosting the first of the two season games against Barcelona on Santiago Bernabeu.

For the first time in a while Real Madrid lead the Spanish Primera Division with an important advantage over Barcelona and are regarded as favorites to win this match.

No less than 15 consecutive victories for Real Madrid in matches both in the Primera Division and Champions League for an unbelievable streak that gives them a superb morale and an appetite for revenge after losing the Super Cup to their bitter rivals.

Barcelona far from the strength showed in past seasons as they manage to surprise with very poor results against unexpected adversaries such as Athletic Bilbao or Getafe. They are now second in the Primera division table with a total of 34 points, 3 less than Real Madrid but with one more game played than their opponents.

Barcelona’s players and officials surprised everyone with their statements that Real is a clear favorite for victory and above all else this could be a strategy to ease the motivation on their opponents.

My pick: Draw ( over 2.5 goals )

*matches in all competitions

Barcelona last 5 matches: 

Barcelona last 3 home matches: 

Levante last 5 matches: 

Levante last 3 away matches: 

La Liga table positions: Barcelona - 2, Levante - 4

Spain’s Primera Division kicking off a new round on Saturday and a very interesting fixture as Barcelona welcome former leaders Levante on Nou Camp.

Barcelona currently trailing Real Madrid by 3 points but with a match more than their opponents the real gap is a considerable six points, not yet decisive but very hard to fill.

They managed a clear victory this week as they hosted Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday, 4-0 the final score making Barcelona clear favorites against a struggling Levante team.

Levante has a surprising start to this season, managing to lead the table for a number of rounds, but with 3 defeats in their last four games played, the drop was steep, landing them a current 4th spot in the Primera Division table with a total of 26 points.

Even if they lose this game, Levante has a 3 point advantage over next in line Malaga and will keep it’s place due to the superior goal balance but unlikely as it seems, a victory against Barcelona can make them advance over Valencia.

My pick:  Barcelona to win ( over 2.5 goals )

*matches in all competitions

Barcelona last 5 matches: 

Barcelona last 3 home matches: 

Vallecano last 5 matches: 

Vallecano last 3 away matches: 

Primera Division table positions: Barcelona - 2, Vallecano - 10

A single match in the Spanish Primera Division on Tuesday as raining champions Barcelona take to the field against newly promoted Rayo Vallecano.

Barcelona suffered a painful defeat this weekend away to Getafe by the slightest of margins and in the process losing precious ground in their battle for the league trophy.

No less than six points separate them from bitter rivals Real Madrid in the Primera Division tale, an important gap that, by the look of things, will be very hard to fill.

Rayo Vallecano the clear underdogs of this game with a very challenging mission if they are to steal but one point from Barcelona. They are currently on an honorable 10th spot of the table but with a total of just 16 points they sit only 4 points above the relegation zone.

They managed only one points in their last two matches of the league, losing this weekend at home against Valencia. No better luck for them in away games thus  far as the team managed only one victory in the past

My pick:  Barcelona to win ( over 2.5 goals )

*matches in all competitions

Levante last 5 matches: 

Levante last 3 home matches: 

Valencia last 5 matches: 

Valencia last 3 away matches: 

Primera Division table positions: Levante - 9, Valencia - 2

With Barcelona trailing rivals Real Madrid by one point at the top of the table this trip to Athletic Bilbao more important that usual for the economy of the season.

Athletic Bilbao currently on the 9th spot of the table, a comfortable position for them as the team is used to this mid standing spot but their margin above the relegation zone is slim with only 5 points separating them from the danger zone.

Two victories for Athletic Bilbao in their last 3 games would make up for a good morale but against an adversary such as Barcelona they will probably play a defensive game hoping for a draw.

Barcelona still in the shadow of their great rival as they have a total of 24 points in 10 Primera Division games played and are separated by just one point from real Madrid with Valencia moving in to third with the same number of points but 11 games played.

Incredible streak for Barcelona, the team known for it’s offensive force has not conceded any goals in the past 9 fixtures played in all competition.

My pick:  Barcelona to win ( under 2.5 goals )