Preview : The EL CLÁSICO
- Real Madrid travel to Camp Nou to face Laliga
- May 6, 2018
- 3 min read
It’s finally time for the first El Clásico of 2018. It’s been 10 years since the last time FC Barcelona and Real Madrid played a match that had so little bearing on the La Liga standings. The last time came in May 2008, when Real Madrid, after sealing the league title, beat Barça at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Statistically Speaking, Sunday’s Barçelona-Real Madrid match will be the 238th El Clásico of all-time. The long-time rivals have drawn 49 times, while Barça’s 93 wins are just two fewer than Real Madrid’s 95. Barça is looking for its 50th all-time home La Liga win over Real Madrid. The Catalans’ current El Clásico record in league games played at Camp Nou is 49 wins, 18 draws, and 20 losses. A win on Sunday will give Barça a two-game season sweep over Real Madrid in La Liga for the first time since the 2013/14 season.
Ernesto Valverde's side remain unbeaten in the league and face a Real Madrid team who are 15 points behind but have just qualified for their third consecutive UEFA Champions League final. There may be little at stake for either team, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to play for. Neither will want to lose to their fierce rivals, and this is a game that very rarely disappoints.
Real will travel to the Camp Nou for the final El Clásico of this season. The first El Clásico of the season saw Real lose 3-0 to Barcelona at the Bernabéu. With the title already wrapped up, Ernesto Valverde could rotate but is likely to pick a strong team as Barcelona remain on course to finish the season unbeaten and will not want to lose to Real Madrid.
Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta missed training on Thursday but is expected to be fit enough to play. This will also be the first match Andrés Iniesta will participate in since announcing last week that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season. No doubt, the last El Clásico of his career will be even more special. Sergi Roberto will be available again after missing the game against Deportivo La Coruna due to suspension.
Real Madrid have defensive problems as Raphael Varane is expected to miss out with a calf injury. He is expected to join Dani Carvajal on the side-lines. Isco is also a concern with a shoulder problem.
Barcelona were already crowned La Liga champions last weekend, but Zidane doesn’t plan to give them the guard of honour. Real sit 3rd in the league table, now 4 points behind Atlético. The real achievement for Los Blancos this season awaits them at the end of the month when they take on Liverpool in the Champions League final.
Real Madrid are looking for a huge 3 points that would end Barcelona’s undefined record in the league this season. It won’t be easy, but it’ll be a record Real will want to end tomorrow in front of Barcelona’s home crowd.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS:
Barcelona (4-4-2): Ter Stegen; Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba; Coutinho, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez
Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Navas; Nacho, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modrić, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema
PREDICTIONS:
Looking at the stats this season, Barcelona are more likely to win the El Clásico. Real have injury concerns with Isco, Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal might struggle against Barca’s unstoppable attacking line-up. Keeping faith in Barça’s defence, 3-1 win to the champions.
Looking forward for the El Clásico.
It’s Messi vs. Ronaldo.
It’s Barcelona vs. Real Madrid.
It’s The El Clásico.
Comments