La Liga Preview: Barcelona vs Real Madrid – key stats, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction

Luka Modric of Real Madrid against Sevilla-La Liga
Luka Modric of Real Madrid against Sevilla-La Liga | Photo Credit: IMAGO

Barcelona will host Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of this season.

Venue: Camp Nou

Key Statistics

  • Barcelona have failed to win in any of their four games against Real Madrid in La Liga.
  • Madrid have won all of their last three games against Barca across all competitions. A win on Sunday will create a new record for recording four consecutive wins since 1965.
  • The Catalan giants are seventh in La Liga this season while Los Blancos sit behind leaders Real Sociedad.

Head to Head records

Besides their impressive record against Barca over the last two seasons, Real Madrid have the edge in terms of head to head records – registering 75 wins with 35 draws – while the Catalan giants have managed only 72 wins.

Recent form

Barcelona: W L L W W

Real Madrid: W D L L W

Barcelona

Barcelona’s form has been fluctuating this season however they are brimming in confidence after getting back to back wins against Valencia and Dynamo Kyiv.

It will be the first El Clasico of the post-Lionel Messi era and Barca will look to make a huge statement against their arch-rivals on Sunday.

The odds are stacked up against the Catalan giants due to their inconsistency and injury problems.

Ansu Fati will have a great responsibility on his shoulder as the young Spaniard has been cited as the heir to Messi’s throne.

Ronald Araujo’s absence due to injury could be a huge loss, but Gerard Pique and Eric Garcia will look to build a solid partnership in the defence, with the former one coming off a stunning performance Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League.

Ronald Koeman’s future has been questioned throughout this season, however he saved some breathing space after back-to-back wins. The Dutch manager still knows the importance of the Clasico on Sunday.

Memphis Depay would be a key man in the attack while prodigious midfielder Gavi could exhibit his talent on a big stage like Clasico.

Possible line-up: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia, Oscar Mingueza, Jordi Alba, Gavi, Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Sergino Dest, Memphis Depay, Ansu Fati.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid are coming on the back of a thumping 5-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, which mitigated their shock loss to Sheriff weeks ago.

Despite being second in the league table, Los Blancos are winless in their last two games – a draw against Villarreal followed by a disappointing defeat to Espanyol.

Madrid’s attack has been flourishing this season, with Karim Benzema and Vinicius firing in all cylinders.

Benzema has recorded a ridiculous stat of 9 goals and 7 assists in 8 La Liga appearances this season. Adding to it, two goals in the Champions League.

Brazilian winger Vinicius looks a different player and his skills and pace would pose a bigger threat to Barca’s defence.

Possible Real Madrid line-ups

Thibaut Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Casemiro, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema

Prediction

Barcelona 2 – 2 Real Madrid