La Liga: Real Madrid vs Barcelona preview and predictions


La Liga: Real Madrid vs Barcelona preview and predictions
Barcelona host Real Madrid today at an empty Camp Nou

The first El Clasico to be played behind closed doors, it promises to be a unique affair as both Real Madrid and Barcelona aim to take an early lead in the table. Barcelona are ninth in the La Liga with 7 points while Real Madrid are third with 10 points. Both have played four games, which is two less than the Real Sociedad who are first.

Both teams suffered losses (Barcelona to Getafe and Real Madrid to Cadiz) in their previous matches in the La Liga. Real Madrid went on to lose their opening fixture of the UEFA Champions League to a depleted Shakthar Donetsk. Barcelona went on to remarkably improve and thrash Ferencvaros 5-1.

Head to Head:

Lionel Messi taking on Toni Kroos and Luka Modric

Barcelona and Real Madrid have played against each other 244 times with them winning 96 matches equally. They have drawn against each other a total number of 52 times. Real Madrid won previously to second half goals from Vinicus Jr. and Mariano Diaz in the Santiago Bernabeu in March. Due to the pandemic, weeks later the league was shut down.
Real Madrid and Barcelona find themselves in interesting positions this encounter as the former can obtain pole position temporarily. Barcelona will aim to attain equal points with Real Madrid by defeating them.

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Squads:

Real Madrid will mostly be without the services of their captain Sergio Ramos as he suffers from a knock. He missed the midweek clash against Shakthar Donetsk along with Karim Benzema and Vincius, who were rested for the Clasico. Barcelona will meanwhile welcome the return of Ousmane Dembele, who returned to fitness with a goal and assist against Ferncvaros.

Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Nacho Fernandez, Raphael Varane, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema, Rodrygo, Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric, Eden Hazard, Marcelo, Isco, Lucas Vazquez, Vinicius Junior, Andriy Lunin, Luka Jovic, Mariano Diaz, Martin Odegaard, Alvaro Odriozola.

Barcelona: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Neto, Sergino Dest, Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Samuel Umtiti, Junior Firpo, Sergio Busquets, Carles Alena, Miralem Pjanic, Riqui Puig, Matheus Fernandes, Sergi Roberto, Frenkie De Jong, Antoine Griezmann, Martin Braithwaite, Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho, Pedri, Francisco Trincao, Ansu Fati.

Possible XI:

Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Eder Militao, Marcelo, Federico Valverde, Casemiro, Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior.

Barcelona: Neto, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Sergino Dest, Miralem Pjanic, Frenkie De Jong, Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho, Ansu Fati, Lionel Messi

Predictions:

Barcelona will be full of confidence now that they bounced back from their defeat against Getafe. They’ll also have extra motivation to defeat Real Madrid to draw level with them on points. They are also boosted by the return of Ousmane Dembele. Real Madrid will be without their captain and leader Sergio Ramos and will so be defensively vulnerable.

Predictions: A 2-1 win to Barcelona with them drawing level with Real Madrid. Lionel Messi hasn’t scored against Real Madrid in over 900 days and will be hoping to break that jinx now. One thing that can be said is, this match is likely to be a massive entertainer.