Real Madrid vs. Liverpool, Apr. 6
A few days after their first fixture after the break, Real Madrid will have another match at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, but this time they will kick off their Champions League quarterfinal round with a match against Liverpool.
There’s already been plenty of comparing and boasting between the fanbases as to who has had it more difficult and who has the better legends, but none of that will matter when the whistle blows. Both of these teams are capable of great things, but they’ve had ups-and-downs this season. And right now, the Reds are in a bit of a downturn due to injuries, mostly to the back four.
So you’d expect Los Blancos to win this matchup at home and give themselves an advantage in the tie. Real usually show up against the big opponents. They beat Inter Milan twice and Atalanta twice in the Champions League.
But I think Real will struggle to a draw. They will make a mistake that Liverpool capitalize on.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1, Liverpool 1
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona, Apr. 10
El Clasico was moved from Apr. 11 to Apr. 10, which gives Real Madrid one less day of rest after their big Champions League match against Liverpool, and that could honestly prove costly to Los Blancos. It could even cost them the La Liga title, such are the stakes here.
It is hard to pick against Real. They have not lost a Clasico under Zinedine Zidane in their last three head-to-head meetings in his current stint as manager, and Real even beat them handily in back-to-back matches. But Barcelona are ahead in the table and playing the better football. Just look at what they did to Real Sociedad last weekend. 6-1! Ridiculous.
For as many times as we’ve criticized Lionel Messi for falling short in the most recent Clasicos, I have a feeling he will break Madridista hearts a couple of weeks from now.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1, Barcelona 2