Real Madrid vs Barcelona Prediction, Odds, Lineups – Copa del Rey Semifinals Leg 1

• Real Madrid and Barcelona lock horns in the Copa del Rey Semifinals on Thursday
• Los Blancos are a -115 favorite in El Clasico. Are they the best bet in our Real Madrid vs Barcelona prediction?
• Find the Real Madrid vs Barcelona odds, preview, and prediction for the first leg below

Thursday brings the third edition of El Clasico in 2022-23 as Real Madrid welcomes their rivals Barcelona to the Santiago Bernabeu for the Copa del Rey Semifinals. The kick-off for the first leg is scheduled for 3 PM ET. Keep reading for the Real Madrid vs Barcelona odds.

Los Blancos is coming off a 1-1 draw with Atletico in the Madrid derby over the weekend. As for Barca, they suffered their first league defeat since October, with Almeria beating them 1-0.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona Odds

Madrid is the favorite for Thursday’s affair with moneyline odds of -115, while Barcelona sits at +265. The Catalans did best Los Blancos 3-1 in the Spanish Super Cup in January, but the hosts did beat Barca by that same scoreline late last year. Real Madrid vs Barcelona odds from DraftKings March 1.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona Preview

The reigning La Liga and Champions League holders haven’t looked as consistent as a year ago, but the treble is still possible. In Spain, the gap between them and first-place Barca is down to seven points now, while Carlo Ancelotti’s side is well on their way to the UCL quarterfinals, throttling Liverpool 5-2 last week in the opening tie of the Round of 16.

As for the Copa del Rey, Real is a 19-time winner but hasn’t lifted the trophy since 2013-14. In fact, the Spanish giants have bowed out before the finals in every season since then. Their road to the semis wasn’t easy though, taking down Atleti in the quarters and Villarreal in the last 16. Los Blancos will be feeling confident heading into this fixture as well given their recent form against Barca.

🔜 #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/LeMKgIshMz

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 28, 2023

Barcelona’s campaign has opened eyes across the globe, conceding a measly eight goals in 23 league games. But despite still sitting top of La Liga, Xavi’s men have come back down to earth over the last week. First, it was a crushing 2-1 defeat (4-3 on aggregate) to Manchester United in the Europa League playoffs. Then on Sunday, the Catalans slipped up against a rather poor Almeria side.

🎙️ RONALD ARAUJO on #ElClásico in the Copa del Rey: "We have to be intelligent … the second leg will be played at home with our fans." pic.twitter.com/4awJTzrG8a

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 1, 2023

Despite controlling 72% of the ball, Barca managed to register a mere one shot on target in a completely lifeless attacking performance. On a more positive note, they’re the most successful club in Copa del Rey history, capturing the grand prize a record 31 times, last winning in 2020-21. Their journey to this point was rather straightforward too aside from a tough clash with Real Sociedad in the quarterfinals, prevailing 1-0.

However, Robert Lewandowski suffered a hamstring injury at the weekend, which is a devastating blow for the first leg of the semifinals.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona Projected Lineups & Injuries

Real Madrid Projected Lineup: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Kroos, Tchouameni, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Injuries & Absences: Mendy, Alaba

Barcelona Projected Lineup: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; De Jong, Busquets, Roberto; Raphinha, Torres, Gavi

Injuries & Absences: Lewandowski, Dembele, Pedri, Fati (questionable)

Madrid has a relatively clean bill of health here, with Ferland Mendy and David Alaba the only absentees. Barca on the other hand will be without Lewandowski as mentioned, along with Ousmane Dembele, Pedri, and potentially Ansu Fati, who suffered a minor knee injury last week in training.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona Copa del Rey Stats

Real Madrid vs Barcelona Prediction

Without Lewa, I feel Barca will lack that much-needed spark in the final third for my Real Madrid vs Barcelona prediction. Plus, Los Blancos is unbeaten in domestic play on home soil this term. I expect them to take advantage of the Catalans’ recent struggles and win this first leg, with the visitors facing an uphill battle for the return tie at Camp Nou.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona Picks: Real Madrid -115