La Liga leaders Real Madrid face a resurgent FC Barcelona team vying for a Champions League spot in the second EL Clasico of the 2021/22 campaign. Real Madrid are 15 points ahead of their rivals but nothing else matters than pride in this fixture.
RMA vs FCB Match Details
When: Sunday, 20 March 2022/ Monday, 21 March 2022
Time: 21:00 (EST)/ 01:30 (IST)
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
RMA vs BAR Match Preview
The big blow for Real Madrid is that star striker Karim Benzema is out of this huge clash with a calf injury. The Frenchman has scored 22 goals in 25 games including eight in the last five games for Madrid in all competitions. He also has 21 contributions in 41 past El Clasico since joining the club in 2009.
Ancelloti said he will take the best option for the striker position ahead of the derby. Bale, Mariano, Jovic, Rodrygo and Isco are all vying for the spot. Win or lose won't bother much for Los Blancos with a healthy lead on top but they are reluctant to give away their six game unbeaten streak in this fixture. They also boast a 10 point advantage over Sevilla and is closing on the title. Real have only dropped points three times this year clearly standing out from the rest in the league.
Things are starting to look better for Xavi's Barcelona. They manage to secure a 2-1 win coming from behind against Galatasaray to land themselves in the last eight stage of the Europa League. The Catalan giants are unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competitions. Eight of those have been wins. The run has spring boarded Barcelona to third place on the league chart. However, their challenge is to maintain it as the gap between them and fifth placed Real Betis is just two points. They are level on points with Atletico in fourth. Winter arrival Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has helped the side a lot lately with his goals. Adding to his reputation, he has five goals in his six appearances against Real Madrid. Xavi said it is difficult to beat their rivals at the moment but the Gabonese could be the key.
RMA vs FCB Team News :
Carlo Ancelloti confirms Karim Benzema won't feature in the EL Classico due to a calf injury that doesn't let him train. Left-back Ferland Mendy is also out with a groin injury.
There are no fresh injury concerns for FC Barcelona with Alejandro Balde, Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti already confirmed absentees. Dani Alves is likely to return to starting 11 having been ineligible for the Europa League.
Recent Form (all competitions)
Real Madrid: WWWWW
FC Barcelona: WWDWW
Expected Lineups :
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Nacho Fernandez, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo,
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Pedri, Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Ousmane Dembele, Aubameyang, Ferran Torres
RMA vs FCB Head to Head :
Real Madrid emerges comfortable winners against a fragile Barcelona in the season's first El Classico. David Alaba went on a dream run from centre back position to give his side the lead before Lucas Vazquez settled the victory in added time. There was still time for Sergio Aguero to score his only goal for Barcelona before his forced retirement due to heart problems. The battle in the Spanish Super Cup also went to Real's favour in a thrilling 3-2 win.
RMA vs FCB Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: Courtois (9)
DEF: Carvajal (9), Militao (8.5), Alaba (9), Alba (9)
MID: Pedri (8.5), Modric (9), Kroos (9.5), De Jong (9.5)
FW: Aubameyang (9.5), Vini Jr (9)
