ElClásico preview, predictions, team information, Key Facts and lineups
On Sunday afternoon, one of the biggest matches on the football schedule will take place at the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcomes fierce rivals Barcelona for the most recent El Clasico.
In the first eight games of the 2022–23 La Liga season, both teams have accrued 22 points, although Barcelona is in the first place due to a better goal differential.
ElClásico match preview
Real Madrid finished 13 points ahead of Barcelona at the top of La Liga last season, proving to be far too powerful for the Catalan giants and the rest of the opposition. However, it appears like this season's title race will be much tighter.
The fact that Carlo Ancelotti's team has won seven and drawn one of their eight league games this season to total 22 points is a sign of the calibre that will be needed to finish first in 2022–23. However, the number is not enough to sit at the top of the table.
Real Madrid's last draw came against Osasuna at home on October 2. They managed to return to early season form in the league last weekend, defeating Getafe 1-0, and then drew 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
The point was enough for the defending European champions to secure their place in the competition's knockout stage with two games to spare, despite Ancelotti's admission following the game that he was displeased with his team's performance in the European tournament.
Barcelona has struggled in the Champions League, but their league record was spotless since their disappointing scoreless draw with Rayo Vallecano to start the 2022–23 season.
With a strong start to their domestic campaign, Xavi's team has won each of their last seven league matches against Real Sociedad, Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla, Cadiz, Elche, Mallorca, and Celta Vigo. They also scored 20 goals and were given only one.
Considering their recent success, Barcelona hasn't actually won La Liga since the 2018–19 season. If they can't secure their place in the Champions League's next round, they may decide to focus entirely on the league.
This weekend won't determine who wins the league, but a win for either team would boost morale at a relatively early point in the season.
ElClásico match Team News
Due to a hamstring injury, Dani Ceballos will undoubtedly be out for Real Madrid once more, while Thibaut Courtois may have lost the fight to recover from a back ailment in time for El Clasico.
Andriy Lunin is therefore expected to stay in goal, and Antonio Rudiger is also anticipated to remain healthy after sustaining a serious head injury while scoring his team's equaliser against Shakhtar in the Champions League.
Real Madrid won't be at full strength due to Courtois' probable absence, but there shouldn't be any shocks among the 10 outfield players, with Federico Valverde anticipated to start off the right of a front three once more.
The first-choice midfield of Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Toni Kroos from Real Madrid should start, with Eder Militao replacing Rudiger in that position.
Jules Kounde, a Frenchman who will line up in the middle of the defence with Eric Garcia and take the place of Gerard Pique for Barcelona, is anticipated to make a speedy recovery from his injury.
There are still injuries keeping Memphis Depay, Hector Bellerin, Ronald Araujo, and Andreas Christensen from playing, but Xavi's team has no new concerns over their readiness for the game.
Alejandro Balde may start at left-back, and Ansu Fati may start in place of Raphinha in the attack alongside Ousmane Dembele and Robert Lewandowski.
Although Frenkie de Jong could replace Sergio Busquets in the heart of the midfield, it appears more likely that the young players Gavi and Pedri will once again join Busquets in a midfield three.
Real Madrid's possible starting lineup:
Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius
Barcelona's possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Roberto, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati
ElClásico match Key Facts
- Barcelona has won their last 7 matches (LaLiga).
- Barcelona has kept a clean sheet in their last 6 matches (LaLiga).
- Real Madrid has won 7 of their last 8 matches (LaLiga).
- Barcelona has kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 away matches against Real Madrid in all competitions.
- Barcelona has been winning at both half-time and full-time in 5 of their last 6 matches (LaLiga).