Real Madrid vs Barcelona is the biggest and most watched match in the Spanish La Liga. It is coupled with drama and intensity.
Barcelona is currently on top of the table with 22 points from eight matches, while Real Madrid sits in second place with the same amount of points. Barcelona leads the Blancos on goal difference.
Preview
Real Madrid’s lone loss came against Osasuna at home on October 2, 2022. They managed to get back to winning ways in the league, defeating Getafe 1-0 on October 8, 2022 and then drew 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk on October 11, 2022 in the Champions League.
Real Madrid Antonio Rudiger who scored the only goal for the club got injured on his left eye.
The Spanish powerhouse was able to secure a spot in the Champions League knockout round after the disastrous night in Ukraine.
The Real Madrid team will have a busy month because they have five games left to play until the end of October.
Los Blancos have defeated Barcelona in four of their past five league encounters, but in the same game at the Bernabeu last year, they were defeated 4-0 by their fierce rivals. That was Xavi Hernandez first win as a manager in the El Clasico.
Both teams also met in the Pre season and it ended in a 2-2 draw.
Barcelona will have a tough struggle on their hands to avoid missing out on the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League campaign for the second consecutive season after failing to defeat Inter Milan leaving them in the third position of the Group.
To advance to the Round of 16 of the Champions League, Inter Milan only needs three points. If Inter Milan defeats Viktoria Plzen, Bayern Munich and Inter will both qualify for the next round of the competition.
Barcelona, who was very active during the transfer window, will be forced to participate in the Europa League, a second tier European club football competition.
During a strong start to their domestic campaign, the Barcelona has won each of their last seven league games against Real Sociedad, Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla, Cadiz, Elche, Mallorca, and Celta Vigo.
They have also scored 20 goals and given up just one. The team have the most threatening attack in La Liga with Robert Lewandowski becoming the leading contender for the Pichichi award.
Probable Line Up
Real Madrid probable starting lineup:
Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius
Barcelona probable starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Roberto, Kounde, Garcia, Balde; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati
Team News
Dani Ceballos, a former Arsenal midfielder who is now injured, won’t be playing for Real Madrid. Thibaut Courtois, the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, will also be absent due to ongoing back issues.
Eder Militao is more likely to play with Antonio Rudiger in defense since he is anticipated to be fit for the match.
All of Real Madrid’s starting midfielders are healthy enough to play.
Jules Kounde, a defender for Barcelona who had been out with an injury since last month, will play in his first El Classico match since being acquired from Sevilla.
Xavi’s team has no new fitness issues going into the game, but Memphis Depay, Hector Bellerin, Ronald Araujo, and Andreas Christensen are still out due to injuries.
Sergio Busquets is more likely to be used by Barcelona manager Xavi alongside Pedri and Gavi.
Head to Head
Real Madrid and Barcelona have played 283 matches. Barcelona have won 117 matches, while Real Madrid have won 104 matches, and the other 62 matches ended in a draw.
