On Saturday 28th April, one of the great nights in recent memory was played out as Barcelona defeated Real Madrid in front of a packed stadium in Barcelona. The score was 6-1 and it ended up being one of the most significant wins in recent Barcelona history.
The match was sold out with over 99,000 fans in attendance and the incredible atmosphere saw betting markets move in favor of Barcelona. The opening two goals were massive market movers and the betting public seems to have felt that this was a classic Real Madrid mistake. Just five minutes into the game, Lucas Barrios put Barcelona ahead.
Lionel Messi then doubled Barcelona’s lead just three minutes later. The goals that followed were all quick, incisive moves from Messi and company. Two more goals came in the 25th and 26th minutes and though Real Madrid fought back they never looked like losing the game. In the end, five unanswered goals saw Barcelona walk away with a 6-1 victory and a $15 million dollar payment from the bookmakers.
What Is The Average Score Between These Two Teams?
The average score between Barcelona and Real Madrid this season has been 1.9. On Saturday night the margin of victory was 6-1 which means that on average this year, the score of the game has been 3.5-1.9, or 5.6 goals to 2.1 goals. This makes it the highest scoring game between these two teams since 1957/58 season when they also tied 6-6. On Saturday, this year’s match was over 7.5 goals per game!
Was This Game Predictable?
Thoughts turn to the question of whether this game was predictable. Perhaps this question is best answered by looking at the predictions made by the bookmakers. The game was predicted to finish 3-3 with William Hill paying out at least $4.60 on a $5 wager. Bettingodds.com had this game at 4-1 in favor of Real Madrid, with Paddy Power offering odds of 3-1 on the same pick. In the end, the game ended up being a masterclass in what not to do as Real Madrid suffered a fantastic 6-1 defeat at the hands of Barcelona.
Odds Implied By These Scores
Based on the above, one could conclude that betting markets did not agree with the bookies and that this was a surprising outcome. After the game, it was reported that odds makers in London had Barcelona at 33/1 and Real Madrid at 11/1. These are incredibly handsome odds considering this was a game that ended up being a complete disaster for the European champions. On Saturday night, Barcelona won the game 6-1 and that meant they paid 33/1 for a win and 1/1.11 for a draw. Real Madrid on the other hand paid 11/1 for a win and 11/2 for a draw which makes a win for these two teams an absolute rarity.
Real Madrid And Barcelona In The Same Game?
As one can imagine, after this stunning victory this week, the next question on everyone’s lips is whether or not Barcelona will face Real Madrid in the same game next week. Though traditionally these two teams have split their season series with Barcelona winning three out of the last five matches, this year there is a possibility of a five-game series which begins in early May. The first leg of the tie was recently postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Though it was rescheduled for September, with the teams meeting again in October, the postponement may well have saved lives as many sporting events were canceled in the Spring due to safety concerns.
Future Of This Game
With the above in mind, it’s clear that this was a game that should not have happened. In the wake of this incredible victory, there are question marks over whether or not professional sports will ever be the same again. Though the short-term ramifications are obvious, one must ask themselves if this truly was a blunder by Real Madrid or if this was actually the beginning of the end for this historical rivalry?
A possible five-game series next season, beginning in early May, provides an opportunity for this rivalry to continue. Will these games prove to be the making or breaking point for Barcelona and Real Madrid? Stay tuned.