:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54447955/672035874.0.jpg)
El Clasico, sadly, did not go to plan. As Real Madrid needed three points to extend their gap at the top of the table, their final result against FC Barcelona did quite the opposite. As the Catalan side stood tight on their heels, Madrid needed, at least, a draw to maintain their top position in La Liga. However, by losing against Barcelona, Los Blancos slipped to second, with a game in hand, while their bitter rivals rose to first.
Now, this loss is not the end-all-be-all for Madrid’s chances at winning the La Liga title. As stated earlier, Madrid has a game in-hand against Barcelona, leaving them with six games remaining in the season. Obviously, if Madrid wins all six, they will become the champions, but they must first play sixteenth placed La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna.
Deportivo has had themselves an underwhelming season. Only accumulating 31 points on the season with a 7-10-16 record, along with a -16-goal differential, the La Liga side only has relegation safety to fight for at this point. Deportivo stands seven points clear from the drop zone; however, it still isn’t enough to ensure full safety.
Deportivo’s top soccer’s consist of Florin Andone, 8, and Celso Borges, 6, but they both haven’t scored since early March. La Coruna have themselves a wide range of scorers always making it difficult to predict who will smash one past goal. Nevertheless, Deportivo is not a side that will prove threatening for Real Madrid. Madrid should take in account that Deportivo will not role over a play dead. On March 12 of this year, Deportivo defeated Barcelona 2-1 at home with goals coming from Joselu and Alex Bergantinos.
After a strong and hard-fought match over the weekend, Madrid fans should expect Zinedine Zidane to start a rotated squad. As shown in the past, Madrid has themselves a deep squad that should provide an adequate win in the end. This match should prove to be another chance for younger stars such as Vazquez and Asensio to shine in the spotlight as they continue to grow.
Overall, Madrid should take home three points away and continue to fight Barcelona for the title.
Projected starting XI:
Real Madrid: Keylor Navas, Danilo, Nacho, Carvajal, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kovacic, James, Vazquez, Asensio, Morata
Deportivo La Coruna: Lux; Juanfran, Sidnei, Albentosa, Bergantinos, Fajr, Luisnho, Kakuta, Borges, Colak; Andonne
How to watch Deportivo - Real Madrid
Day: Wednesday, April 26th.
Kick-off time: 21:30 CET, 03:30pm EST.
Venue: Riazor, La Coruña, Spain.
Prediction: Deportivo 1-3 Real Madrid
Available TV: BeIN Sports (USA), Movistar Partidazo (Spain).
Available streaming: BeIN Sports Connect (USA), Fubo.TV (EVERY Real Madrid game with a high-quality and legal stream, click here to sign up and benefit from a huge offer for new members and Managing Madrid readers).
Staff Predictions
| Result (1) | Score (2) | Goal Scorers (3) | Total Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result (1) | Score (2) | Goal Scorers (3) | Total Score | |
| Om | RM Win | 2-1 | CR7, Ramos; Higuaín | 42 |
| Kiyan | RM Win | 3-1 | Benz, CR7, Asensio; Pjanic | 45 |
| Timm | RM Win | 2-1 (RM win extra time) | CR7, Ramos; Dybala | 41 |
| Mike | - | - | - | 34 |
| Lucas | RM Loss | 1-2 | CR7; Higuaín, Dybala | 26 |
| Nate | RM Win | 4-2 | -CR7x2, Bale, Morata; Higuain, Dybala | 47 |
| Marc | - | - | - | 3 |
| Lewis | - | - | - | 10 |
| Tommy | RM Loss | 1-2 | Benz; Higuaín, Mandzukic | 19 |
| Naguib | RM Win | 2-0 | CR7, Bale | 29 |
| Vicki | - | - | - | 1 |
| Ondra | RM Win | 2-0 | CR7, Ramos | 18 |
| Jack | RM Win | 2-2 (RM win on pk's 4-3) | CR7, Ramos; Dybala x2 | 6 |
| Matt | RM Win | 1-0 | CR7 | 8 |
| Sam | RM Win | 2-1 | - | 1 |
| José | RM Win | 3-1 | CR7 x2, Morata; Mandzukic | 3 |