Can Barcelona Continue Their Impressive Form At The Santiago Bernabéu This Weekend?
Barcelona have been in superb form of late. However, can they beat a Real Madrid side full of confidence at the Bernabeu?
Normally at this stage of the season, the second Clasico of the season used to decide plenty. However, this year the gap between Real Madrid and Barcelona is too much for a Clasico to close. Also, it is still the biggest match on the La Liga calendar. There is never a shortage of tensions and fireworks in the Clásico.
It`s sort of a different generation nowadays, with the days of Messi and Ronaldo rivalry long gone. Still, there is much to savor ahead of Sunday night.
El Clásico Match Card
Venue –
Kick Off – 21:00 WAT
Referee – Juan Martinez Munuera
El Clásico Team News –
Real Madrid will be without Karim Benzema and french defender Ferland Mendy. Karim Benzema will be a big miss for Real as the French striker has been in superb form of late.
Barcelona have more players out. Ansu Fati, Dest, Umtiti, Roberto, and Alex Balde are all unavailable due to injury.
El Clásico Possible Lineups –
Real Madrid – Courtois, Nacho Alaba, Militao, Carvajal Luka Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Vinicius, Asensio, Rodrygo.
Barcelona– Stegen, Araujo, Pique, Alves, Alba, Busquets, de-jong, Pedri, Dembele, Torres, Gavi
El Clásico Stats
Real Madrid haven’t lost to Barcelona in their last 6 meetings (5W, 1D).
Since Xavi Hernández’s arrival, Barcelona have taken 34 points from 15 games in LaLiga (W10 D4 L1), a record only bettered by Real Madrid since then (39 points – W12 D3 L1).
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has lost three of his five meetings with Barcelona in LaLiga (W2), his joint-worst record of defeats against the same opponent in the competition along with Atlético de Madrid (G5 W1 D1 L3).
Xavi Hernández could become only the third FC Barcelona coach to lose in each of his first two games against Real Madrid in all competitions in the 21st century, following Ernesto Valverde in 2017 and Ronald Koeman in 2021, who lost all three of his clásicos as Barcelona coach.
Real Madrid have won their last five games with Barcelona in all competitions. Only Los Blancos, with seven wins between April 1962 and February 1965, have achieved a better run in the history of ElClásico.
Barcelona have more wins (10-8) and scored more goals (41-34) than Real Madrid in LaLiga ElClásico matches played in Madrid in the 21st century. However, Barcelona have lost their last two visits and could suffer three defeats in a row for the first time this century.
Betting Tip – Over 2.5 goals
Prediction – Barcelona have found god form of late, so they should score. Real Madrid will also want to give a good showing at the Bernabéu. could end 2-2.
