05 April 2023 , 07:00
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Barcelona hold a slender one-goal advantage going into the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final clash with arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Eder Militao unfortunate's own goal more than a month ago puts Xavi Hernandez and co in the ascendancy, just as they comfortably are in LaLiga. The two teams' other El Clasico meeting in March, a seismic league fixture at the Camp Nou, was dramatically won 2-1 by Barcelona as they took a 12-point lead at the top of the table courtesy of Franck Kessie's 92nd-minute winner.
With a final against Osasuna - who beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 on aggregate - in the offing on Saturday, May 6, Real Madrid will be out for revenge after their first-leg defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu and have been handed a boost thanks to some injury issues for Barca. Andreas Christensen, Ousmane Dembele, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri have all been left out of Xavi's squad due to injury.
As for Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti will have a strong squad to choose from off the back of Sunday's 6-0 demolition of Real Valladolid on home soil, responding after Barca beat Elche 4-0 on the road a day earlier. Los Blancos are only without left-back Ferland Mendy, as fellow defender Antonio Rudiger is notably fit and available after missing the enormous weekend victory.
Ancelotti could be entering his final El Clasico fixture as Real Madrid manager after two successful spells, with speculation growing that he's ready to take up the Brazil job. But ahead of the match, the Italian confirmed that he's committed to staying at the Bernabeu for as long as possible.
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"I feel secure because of the players I have and the backing I have from the club," Ancelotti affirmed. "I've clarified my future already. My contract ends in 2024 and my plan is to fulfil it. If Real Madrid are happy, Ancelotti 2034," the manager told reporters in a post-match press conference."
Have your say! Who'll go through - Barcelona or Real Madrid? Let us know your prediction in the comments section.
Carlo Ancelotti could be about to manage his final El Clasico fixture (Alex Caparros/Getty Images)When is Barcelona vs Real Madrid?
Barcelona play Real Madrid in their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Wednesday, April 5.
Kick-off at the Camp Nou is 8pm BST (9pm local time).
What TV channel is Barcelona vs Real Madrid on?
UK viewers will be able to watch the match live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 1HD.
A live stream will also be available via the BT Sport app.
Coverage begins at 19:30 BST.
Match odds
Latest odds from Betfred:
Barcelona - 23/20
Draw - 12/5
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Real Madrid - 15/8
*odds subject to change
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