Real Madrid-Barcelona will take place on Saturday night at the world-famous Santiago Bernabéu.
Los Blancos are already three points behind Barcelona in the La Liga table, so tonight’s game has a lot more at stake than simple Spanish bragging rights.
Both teams are in brilliant form coming into the exciting match. Last in Champions League action, Madrid came from 2-0 down to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-2, with Barcelona making four goals against Bayern Munich in a 4-1 home win on Vincent Kompany’s men.
At domestic level, the two giants of Spanish football are in equally impressive form. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are unbeaten in the league with their only points dropped in the form of three draws. Barcelona have been almost perfect, with the only lack of form being the 4-2 defeat against Osasuna a month ago.
Team news
Real Madrid
Real Madrid will be without Thibaut Courtois (muscle injury) and Rodrygo (hamstring) for tonight’s game The classic. Andriy Lunin is expected to replace the injured Courtois, with Ancelotti potentially playing with how he lines up his attack.
Dani Carvajal and David Alaba, both with long-term knee injuries, are also sidelined.
Expected lineup: Andriy Lunin; Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy; Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham; Vini Junior, Kylian Mbappe.
Barcelona
Although Barcelona have a long list of absentees, including Marc-Andre ter Stegen (knee), Andreas Christensen (Achilles) and Ferran Torres (hamstring), Hansi Flick’s selection options are they reinforced after Fermín López made a Man of the Match match against Bayern. at the beginning of the week.
The Spanish midfielder, after proving his fitness, is about to start alongside Pedri and Marc Casado. Dani Olmo, who recently missed six games through injury, is also back and will hope to feature, even if he doesn’t start the game.
Expected lineup: Inaki Pena; Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Alejandro Balde; Pedri, Marc Casado, Fermín López; Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski.
Head-to-head statistics
Real Madrid and Barcelona have met 285 times.
Barcelona have a slight advantage in the head-to-head record having won 118 times and Madrid achieved 105 victories. The pair have tied 62 times in their history.
The El Clasico’s top goalscorer is Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.
The current Inter Miami star has scored 26 goals, in all competitions, against Madrid with Alfredo Di Stefano and Cristiano Ronaldo joint second; both with 18 goals.
Although Barcelona have the best head-to-head record, the most important victory of the game is Madrid’s. The 1942-43 season saw Los Blancos thrash their arch-rivals 11-1 in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, the highest-scoring Clásico and a record that will probably never be broken.
prediction
Given both teams’ incredible league form, as well as their recent impressive performances in the Champions League, it’s almost impossible to say how this one will play out.
Los Blancos’ squad has more experienced players, combined with the fact that they will be playing at home to a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu, it is hard to look past Ancelotti’s men.
prediction: Real Madrid wins 3-1
where to look
For UK viewers, Real Madrid vs. Barcelona will be broadcast live on Premier League Sports. The match is scheduled to kick off at 8pm (UK time).
