Barcelona Xavi Hernandez has admitted that Real Madrid will start as favorites in Copa del Rey Classico. The first leg of the semifinal will be played on Thursday at the Bernabeu whereas the second leg will be played in April. Both the arch-rivals will also face each other in the LA Liga clash on March 19.

Meanwhile, Blaugrana is currently at the top of the LA Liga standings with 19 wins in 23 matches and a total of 59 points. Los Blancos, on the other hand, have 52 points with 16 wins in 23 games.

Real Madrid had won when the two teams had met earlier in the season whereas Barcelona had won the Spanish Super Cup final against its rivals in Saudi Arabia.

Furthermore, Barcelona will be without the services of Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, and Ousmane Dembele, who are all out with respective injuries.

“Madrid are favorites because they are LaLiga and Champions League holders,” Xavi said in a news conference. “They are a tough opponent and they are in good form.

“We have won a trophy, beating them in the final, playing extraordinary football, but it’s Madrid. They are competing really well — they scored five goals against Liverpool.

“I have to be honest. I don’t mind saying it. That said, we have the weapons to do damage, we have shown that and it will be an even tie, but they are favorites.”

Barcelona was recently beaten by Manchester United by 2-1 (4-3 aggregate) in the Europa League and they were also stunned by Almeria by 1-0 in the LA Liga. Xavi wasn’t surprised by recent losses.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” Xavi said of the pessimism following those losses. “I know the club and the environment around it and I know where the shots get fired.

“If we only look at the last two games, we are in hospital, but if we look at how we are doing overall — seven clear in LaLiga, in the semifinal of the cup, Super Cup winners, we competed in Europe despite going out — the picture is still good.”