Barcelona v Real Madrid – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Barcelona face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday evening at Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla. Blaugrana have beaten Los Blancos twice this season already, winning 4-0 in Madrid and 5-2 in the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Match: Barcelona vs Real Madrid
When: Saturday, 26 April 2025, 22:00
Where: Estadio de La Cartuja

Barcelona Form

Barcelona’s last 27 matches have seen 22 wins and just one defeat. A 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-finals second leg made it seven straight wins. A surprise 1-1 home draw vs Real Betis followed in La Liga. Blaugrana thrashed Dortmund 4-0 at home in the Champions League after that.

They won 1-0 at Leganes before losing 3-1 at Dortmund in the second leg in a complacent display. They’ve refocused their minds to win their last two league matches. A last-gasp 4-3 home win over Celta Vigo was followed by a 1-0 win over Mallorca on Tuesday. Barcelona had 40 shots and put up 3.45 xG in that win.

Barcelona Team News

Hansi Flick rotated his side heavily in midweek, resting Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi completely and giving partial breaks to Raphinha and Frenkie De Jong. Marc-andre Ter Stegen is training again and the goalkeeper may make the bench here.

There are four injuries to navigate ahead of this final. Marc Bernal, Marc Cassado and Alejandro Balde are ruled out and Robert Lewandowski is a major doubt. Ferran Torres could play as the central striker.

Barcelona Motivation

Flick’s side are high on confidence and will attack Real Madrid from the start.

Barcelona have lifted the Super Cup already this season and are chasing a potential quadruple. Motivation is very high to win this final.

Real Madrid Form

Los Blancos have lost five of their last 13 matches. They have managed to churn out three straight La Liga wins to keep their title challenge alive. a 4-4 home draw against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semis was enough to reach the final, 5-4 aggregate. A late 2-1 home league loss to Valencia followed.

They were beaten 3-0 at Arsenal in the Champions League and lost the second leg 2-1 at home to exit the competition. Between those two fixtures was a 1-0 win at Deportivo Alaves with ten men. Their last two results have been 1-0 league wins, at home to Athletic Bilbao and away at Getafe.

Real Madrid Team News

Carlo Ancelotti is without Dani Carvajal at right back and Eder Militao at centre back. Ferland Mendy is unlikely to be fit enough to start at left back so youngster Fran Garcia could be tasked with stopping Raphinha.
Eduardo Camavinga was injured in the last match and misses this showpiece fixture. David Alaba is doubtful but Kylian Mbappe returns after missing the last two matches with an ankle complaint.

Real Madrid Motivation

Real Madrid are fighting to save their season. This represents a chance at silverware and they will want to avoid losing another final to Barcelona.

Ancelotti is a very pragmatic coach and will know the threat posed by Barcelona going forward. A defensive outlook is expected with lots of fast counter attacks.

Key Stats

Barcelona have won their last 2 matches vs Real Madrid (4-0 and 5-2 wins)

Barcelona have won 22 of their last 27 matches (4 draws, 1 loss)

Barcelona’s Raphinha has scored 30 goals this season

Real Madrid have lost 5 of their last 13 matches

Real Madrid’s Mbappe has scored 23 goals in his last 30 matches

Verdict

On current form, and based on two thrashings handed to Real Madrid this season already, Barcelona should win this final.

Best Bet: Barcelona win at 2.20
Alternate Bet: Barcelona win and Over 2.5 goals at 2.87
Anytime Goalscorer Tips: Raphinha at 2.95 or Mbappe at 2.30