FC Barcelona are looking at the prospect of extending a massive 12 points gap at the top of the table with a win against rivals and title challengers Real Madrid in the second El Clasico of the league season.
FCB vs RMA Match Details
Date: Sunday, 19 March 2023 / Monday, 20 March 2023
Time: 21:00 (CET) / 01:30 (IST)
Venue: Camp Nou,
FCB vs RMA Match Preview
FCB
FC Barcelona may not decide the La Liga title on Sunday with the El Clasico win over Real Madrid but it will put them on the brink of the honor. The Catalan giants will open up a 12-point lead at the top of the chart with 14 rounds of matches to go. It will be a great achievement for the club considering the club almost went bankrupt in the financial doldrums and are now dealing with allegations plus charges regarding claims of making illegal payments to referees to fix results. Xavi's side have been emphatic this season winning 21 of their 25 games and losing just twice. One of the defeats came against Los Blancos in the reverse fixture last year albeit much has changed in both the club’s form from there. While Real Madrid were guilty of dropping points after that and losing the other Classicos in cup competitions, Barcelona maintained their momentum going to lose only against Manchester United in the Europa League and Almeria in La Liga after that. They have not conceded defeat at home in the league which is a big boost for them to take on their arch-rivals in this potentially title-deciding game at Camp Nou.
RMA
It is true Real Madrid have some bit of inconsistency at times but such is the prestige and the mentality of the club that they almost always turn around a bad situation into a celebratory occasion. This is more prevalent in Carlo Ancelotti’s era at the club and the demand for a win in this do-or-die El Clasico will be higher as a result of it. After dashing all the comeback hopes of Liverpool, if it was possible, in the second leg with a 1-0 victory having already taken a 5-2 lead from Anfield Real Madrid are building hopes their 19th Champions League quarterfinal qualification success will help them with a double over Barcelona in the league. Their title defense chances could only reignite after that. Despite losing to the Catalan giants in the Super Cup final and the first leg of the Copa del Rey tie, Madrid have lost only once in the last six El Clasico in La Liga and won the previous two visits to Camp Nou. Considering Barcelona have faltered against bigger sides and the 3-1 win last year showed the maturity the squad still needs to build, Los Blancos will be optimistic about their chances this weekend.
Recent Form (all competitions)
FCB: WWWLL
RMA: WWDLD
Recent Form (La Liga)
FCB: WWLWW
RMA: WDDWW
FCB vs RMA Team News
FCB
FC Barcelona thought they had midfielder Pedri back from his hamstring injury as he resumed training on Friday but unfortunately felt some discomfort which ruled him out completely. He sat out the last six games for Barca and the club could only hope the latest setback won’t keep him long on the sidelines. Ronald Araujo is also available after missing the clash with Athletic last weekend through suspension and is expected to perform the right-back role in an El Classico again to defend Vinicius Jr. Alejandro Balde should start over Jordi Alba at left-back while Gavi, whose contract is yet to be registered, will start with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski up front. Winger Ousmane Dembele is out with a muscle injury.
RMA
For Real Madrid, David Alaba remains on the sideline with a hamstring problem with Nacho Fernandez continuing in the back four. Youngster Alvaro Rodriguez is suspended for the clash. Ferland Mendy was back on the bench against Liverpool after recovering from a hamstring problem and while there were concerns with Balon d’Or winner Karim Benzema’s fitness for a knock suffered in the midweek Champions League game after scoring the winner, he is fit to start the El Classico. Carlo Ancelloti may rotate the midfield with now injury-free Aurelien Tchouameni entering the fray in place of Eduardo Camavinga alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
FCB vs RMA Predicted Lineups
FCB: Ter Stegen; Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Balde; Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Franck Kessie; Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi
RMA: Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho Fernandez; Toni Kroos, Aurelien Tchouameni, Luka Modric; Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr
FCB vs RMA Head to head
FCB won - 73
Draw - 35
RMA won - 77
FCB vs RMA Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Ter Stegen (7.5)
DEF: Kounde (8.5), Militao (8), Araujo (8)
MID: Valverde (9), Kroos (8.5), Modric (8.5), Gavi (8)
FW: Benzema (9), Lewandowski, Vini Jr (9)
Vice-captain: Vinicius Jr
Captain: Robert Lewandowski
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