Real Madrid vs Barcelona Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

It is time for El Clasico again, with Real Madrid all set to host rivals Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.

The latest instalment of El Clasico is here. Real Madrid are all set to square up against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday. The title race in La Liga is set to take a backseat as two eternal rivals are ready to go up against each other to progress to the final of the Copa del Rey.

Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 3-1 in the quarter-final to make it this far in the competition. Los Blancos are all set to host La Liga leaders Barcelona. Real Madrid have been on a decent run of late. They were struggling for form before leaving for the Club World Cup. But, they have managed to pick things up in the last few weeks.

The hosts have won five of their last six matches in all competitions. However, they are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid. They conceded a goal late in the game despite having a numerical advantage. But, thanks to 18-year-old Alvaro Rodriguez they managed to bounce back and salvage a point.

It is going to be a tough test for Carlo Ancelotti’s men. But they will be confident, given their recent form and the struggles of Barcelona. While this match will have no impact on La Liga, the result could give either of the team the momentum needed to finish the season on a high.

Barcelona progressed into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey on the back of a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad. The visitors have been on a dream run in the league. But, they have suffered in European competitions. And of late, that has had an impact on their La Liga performance as well.

The Catalan giants are heading into this encounter on the back of a defeat. Xavi’s men lost 1-0 against Almeria, a result no one saw coming. They have lost their last two fixtures and will hope to return to winning ways when they square up against Real Madrid.

The visitors were on a winning run until they squared up against Manchester United in the Europa League. Post that, it has all gone downhill for the Spanish giants. However, they have a great opportunity to bounce back with a win. They have suffered two defeats and have played out a draw in their last five outings in all competitions.

Last time when the two teams met, Barcelona came out on top with a 3-1 back in January. But, a lot has changed in the last month. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at their squads and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.

Team News & Tactics

Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti will once again be without the services of Ferland Mendy, who is out injured. David Alaba will also miss this fixture because of the injury that he picked up in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg win over Liverpool.

One big boost for Ancelotti will be the return of Rodrgyo Goes, who has recovered from injury. Expect a few changes in the centre of the park for the Los Blancos. Aurelien Tchouameni and Luka Modric, who were on the bench in their previous fixture are likely to star.

Ancelotti is likely to start with the 4-3-3 formation. Thibaut Courtois will be in goal once again. The Real Madrid boss is expected to start with an unchanged back four. Dani Carvajal and Nacho will be the full-backs, while Eder Militao will pair up with Antonio Rudiger as the centre-backs.

Tchouameni and Modric will start alongside Toni Kroos in the midfield. And Federico Valverde will start as the right winger. The manager will surely start with Valverde because he is pretty aware of the importance he will have.

Valverde will be expected to drop back and make it 4-4-2 when Real Madrid defend. And, he has the legs to do it throughout the 90 minutes. Vinicius Junior will start on the left, while captain Karim Benzema will lead the line.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.

Barcelona

Xavi has quite a few things to think about before he heads into this fixture. The Spanish manager will be without the services of marksman Robert Lewandowski who picked up an injury in their previous encounter.

Ousmane Dembele and Pedri are also unavailable for this fixture due to injury. Meanwhile, he has a boost as  Ansu Fati has recovered from injury and is expected to play a part against Real Madrid.

Xavi will also start with the 4-3-3 formation. Marc-Andre ter Stegen will once again take charge in goal. Jules Kounde and Jordi Alba are likely to be the full-backs. Ronald Araujo might team up with Andreas Christensen in the centre of defence.

Sergio Busquets will once again feature as the holding midfielder, and he will be supported by Frenkie de Jong and Franck Kessie. Raphinha is expected to start on the right wing, while Gavi might take up the left flank. In the absence of La Liga top scorer Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres will lead the line.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Alba; de Jong, Busquets, Kessie; Raphinha, Torres, Gavi

Key Stats

• Real Madrid have not last lost a match at home since April 2022. Their last defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu came against Chelsea in the Champions League.
• Barcelona’s 18-game unbeaten run came to an end when they lost in the second leg of the Europa League knockout against Manchester United. Currently, they are on a two-game losing streak.
• Real Madrid and Barcelona have already met twice in the ongoing season. Real Madrid managed to win the league fixture at home while the Blaugrana won in the Spanish Super Cup final.
• Barcelona have not conceded a goal in their last two Copa del Rey matches.
• Los Blancos have found the back of the net on six occasions in their last two Copa del Rey outings.

Player to Watch

Federico Valverde

Embed from Getty Images

Federico Valverde has been a very important player for Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. The Real Madrid boss has relied on him in big matches, and the 24-year-old has never disappointed him. His progress has also captured the attention of several clubs, including Manchester United.

He is likely to start as the right winger in the upcoming fixture and will surely have a big say in the end result of the game. Valverde has 16 goal involvements in the ongoing season and is likely to add to it when he squares up against Barcelona.

Prediction

Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona

The recent form of Barcelona suggests that they might find it very difficult against Real Madrid away from home. Xavi’s men are without the services of Robert Lewandowski and Pedri, which will obviously have an impact on the fixture.

The duo has been very important for the Catalan giants’ success in the ongoing season, and their absence is going to be felt. Real Madrid are riding high on confidence. And with the majority of their players available expect them to come out on top in this fixture. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the home team.