Spanish Super Cup Football: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Real Madrid face Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday evening, in the opening match of the Spanish season.

Los Blancos come into this match on the back of a 3-1 win against Barcelona, in the first leg of the Super Cup on Sunday.

It was a quiet first half between the two Spanish supergiants, but the second half was worth the wait.

Gerard Pique scored his first goal for Real Madrid, with an unfortunate own goal in the 50th minute.

Lionel Messi equalised from the penalty spot (77), after Luis Suarez made the most of a Keylor Navas challenge.

Cristiano Ronaldo made his mark on the match just three minutes later (80), scoring a stunning right footed strike.

He was yellow carded for his celebration, then he received his second yellow just two minutes later after being booked for diving.

Despite being down to ten men at the Camp Nou, Marco Asensio scored a stunning goal (90) to make it 3-1 on the night to Real.

Success Needed

Real Madrid enjoyed an astonishing campaign last season, winning the La Liga and Champions League double.

They have begun this campaign in superb fashion as well, with Madrid well on course to secure both early seasons Super Cups.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a five game ban for his push on the referee, with the Portuguese harshly judged to have dived for his second yellow.

Zinedine Zidane's side come into this match as favourites, home advantage swaying the bookies.

This will be a tough match for Los Blancos, with Barcelona desperate to avenge Sunday's defeat.

Real will be looking for their second successive win against Barcelona.

Tough Start

The Catalans come into this match in mixed form, with a home defeat against Madrid always a bitter pill to swallow.

Ernesto Valverde has had a tough start to life as Barcelona manager, losing his first competitive home game.

He will be hoping to avenge that result, with Messi and Suarez likely to come out all guns blazing.

It will be a tough season for Ernesto Valverde, especially with the absence of Neymar to PSG in a world record deal.

They have yet to sign a quality replacement for Neymar, with both Dortmund and Liverpool playing hard ball.

Ousmane Dembele and Phillippe Coutinho are players that Barcelona have identified, neither signing is close.

They have announced the signing of Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande, with the former Tottenham man cost £36.1 million.

Barcelona do come into this match as underdogs, after their poor performance at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Valverde will be looking for the perfect start to Barcelona's season, winning this two legged Super Cup will do just that.

The Catalans will be looking to make it 28 wins in 63 matches against their El Clasico rivals.

Tip 1 – Messi to score first @ 9/2

Tip 2 – Barcelona to win 3-1 @ 33/1