Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to clash in a highly anticipated El Clásico for the third time this season, this time in the Copa del Rey final.
Barcelona are chasing a hat-trick of victories over Real Madrid in the 2024/25 season, having dismantled their rivals 5-2 in January’s Spanish Super Cup final and achieved a 4-0 win in an earlier LaLiga fixture in October.
With both teams currently engaged in a tense La Liga title race, the Copa del Rey could also serve as a psychological advantage in the domestic run-in.
Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, are eyeing their treble, while Real Madrid are hoping to salvage a domestic double after their Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Arsenal.
A Battle of legacies
Barcelona are aiming for their 32nd Copa del Rey title, extending their status as the competition’s most decorated team.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos seek their 21st crown, desperate to respond to the Champions League disappointment and mounting pressure on Carlo Ancelotti, whose future at the club remains uncertain amid rumours of a potential move to the Brazil national team.
With five league games to go, Barcelona lead Real Madrid by four points and remain unbeaten in 14 consecutive La Liga matches.
Head-to-Head stats
This will be the 37th Copa del Rey encounter between the two sides. Barcelona lead the head-to-head with 16 wins to Real Madrid’s 13, while eight matches have ended in draws.
Barcelona have been dominant this season, winning both previous meetings convincingly. They remain slight favourites going into Saturday’s final.
Predictions
According to Opta, Barcelona are considered slight favourites to win today’s Copa del Rey final.
Flick’s side are predicted to win in 90 minutes in 40.7%, while Real Madrid are projected to emerge victorious in 32.8% of outcomes.
The probability of the match going to extra-time after a draw in 90 minutes is at 26.5%.
