Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Spain – La Liga
Date: Sunday, 20 March 2022
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
The final El Clasico of the 2021/22 season will pit Real Madrid against arch-rivals Barcelona in a battle of the giants in La Liga.
In Matchweek 29, leaders Real Madrid will visit fierce rivals Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu, in one of the most important matches on the La Liga season.
Real Madrid is comfortably atop the La Liga table and appears to be on track to win the title at the end of the season.
With ten games remaining, Carlo Ancelotti’s side has a ten-point lead over second-placed Sevilla.
Los Blancos are on a five-game winning streak in all competitions, including a 3-0 triumph over RCD Mallorca.
Barcelona is in a three-way tie with Atletico Madrid for third place.
The Catalans sit three points behind the Rojiblancos with two games in hand after the Rojiblancos’ 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
With Sevilla only five points ahead of them, a second-place result is also possible.
Xavi’s side are unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions and qualified for the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals by defeating Galatasaray 2-1 in their last encounter.
In all competitions, Real Madrid and Barcelona have met twice this season. Both times, the Merengues won by a slim margin of 2-1 and 3-2 in La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana, respectively.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona Head to head:
- Ancelotti’s men are on a five-fixture winning streak.
- The last four matches had a total of 15 goals between them.
- Barca had won three of the past five match-ups at this ground.
- The latest meeting at this stadium had ended in a 2-1 win for the hosts.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona Prediction :
Under Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona has regained attacking fluidity in their game and is sharper in front of goal, which had been a big issue in the early stages of the season.
They will, however, be up against a tenacious Real Madrid side that has the second-best defensive record in La Liga this season and is difficult to break down at home.
Los Blancos, on the other hand, will be unable to carry the same degree of threat without Karim Benzema.
Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz have never played on a regular basis.
At the same time, if deployed in a false-nine style, players like Marco Asensio and Isco are unlikely to carry the same goal threat.
All things considered, it could end up being a close match that ends in a deadlock.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona Team News :
Karim Benzema did not exercise with Real Madrid on Saturday morning, and the France international has been ruled out of this match due to a calf injury.
Despite sustaining a hefty knock against Mallorca, Rodrygo has been confirmed fit, but Ferland Mendy is out with a muscle injury, therefore Nacho is anticipated to start at left-back.
Ancelotti is unlikely to make any midfield surprises, with Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and Luka Modric all expected to start, with Marco Asensio likely to start on the right.
Benzema’s absence will allow Gareth Bale, Mariano Diaz, Luka Jovic, or Isco to take his place in the starting lineup, with the latter possibly getting the nod to play as a false nine this weekend.
Alejandro Balde, Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, and Samuel Umtiti have all been ruled out for Barcelona, while Sergino Dest has also been ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Head coach Xavi is anticipated to make a few changes from the side that started against Galatasaray, with Dani Alves likely to return at right-back, and Ousmane Dembele replacing Adama Traore in a front three with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ferran Torres.
The midfield is set, but there is still a question mark over Gerard Pique’s centre-back partner, and all signs are that Eric Garcia will start El Clasico ahead of Ronald Araujo.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Nacho; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Asensio, Isco, Vinicius
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Garcia, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, F de Jong; Dembele, Aubameyang, F Torres
