This week the matches have been changed from the weekend to midweek, and we have the Spanish classic; Real Madrid vs. Barcelona. Madrid have already won the league, so it remains to be seen if Barcelona will offer them the ‘corridor of glory’. There has been some criticisms of Barcelona players Deco and Eto’o, who in the last match against Valencia intentionally get a yellow card each, which brings their current tally to five cards and so will have to sit this game out. Both players said after the game that they had no idea how many cards they had, but coach Frank Rijkaard immediately said that this was untrue.
Real Madrid won the league last weekend in a dramatic game away to Osasuna. Italian defender Cannavaro was red carded right at the beginning of the second half, and when Osasuna scored from a penalty it looked as if Madrid would have to wait another week to claim their crown. However, two goals from Robben and Higuain just two minutes from the end of the game turned the game around and gave Real Madrid their thirty-first league title.
Barcelona shrugged off their Champions league exit to Manchester United by thumping Valencia by six goals to nil. However, they still trail Villarreal in third place and will be hard pushed to win the second place and direct access to next year’s Champions league. Rijkaard’s days are most definitely numbered and there have already been reports that ex-Barca midfielder Pepe Guardiola will be the new coach for the new season.
You have to fancy Madrid here. Their home record is exceptional, winning fifteen and losing just two games, they have no pressures at all except to please their fans, and their opponents here just want to season to finish as quickly as possible.
Prediction: Home win (3-1)