Barcelona will look to make it a quadruple of wins over Real Madrid since the turn of the calendar as we prepare for yet another El Clasico.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have already squared up against each other three times in 2023. The Catalan giants have won all three of those fixtures. And, we are ready for the fourth instalment of El Clasico as the Catalan giants prepare to host Los Blancos in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.

Xavi’s men have a 1-0 advantage heading into this fixture as they won the first leg away from home. While Real Madrid dominated the ball in the first leg, they failed to hit the target. Meanwhile, the away team were rock solid in defence and took the lead courtesy of an Eder Militao own goal.

Post that first-leg win, the Catalan giants have also won against their arch-rivals in the league. That was a win that has almost guaranteed them the league title. Barcelona have won their last five matches in all competitions. They are in red-hot form and will look to make it six against Real Madrid.

Xavi’s men are heading into this fixture on the back of a 4-0 win over Elche. They were by far the better side on the night and got the job done. And, Barcelona will expect to produce a similar sort of performance against a much stronger opponent at home.

As far as the visitors are concerned, they will be eager to avenge all three of the losses against their rivals in 2023. Carlo Ancelotti’s men were in contention for all major titles at the start of the new year. However, they have not been consistent enough in the last few months and are already out of the league title race.

Los Blancos have won three out of their last five matches. They have not been at their best, and that has cost them big time. Their last two losses in all competitions have come against Barcelona. And, they will look to avenge those defeats in this second leg.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are heading into this fixture on the back of a 6-0 win over Real Valladolid. It was a clinical performance by Ancelotti’s men, and they will look to produce something similar against Barcelona.

While Real Madrid will try their best to get one better over Barcelona, they are well aware of the fact that it won’t be that easy a task. The Hard Tackle takes a closer at this fixture and tries to predict the tactics the teams could deploy.

Team News & Tactics

Barcelona

Ousmane Dembele and Andreas Christensen are still out with injuries. The hosts are also likely to be without the services of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong in the centre of the park. Meanwhile, they do have a boost as Raphinha is back after missing their last fixture due to suspension.

Xavi will deploy the 4-3-3 formation where Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be in goal. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde are expected to be the full-backs. Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo will pair up with Marcos Alonso in the centre of the defence.

Veteran Sergio Busquets will start as the holding midfielder. He will be supported by Franck Kessie and Gavi in the centre of the park. They will look to have the majority of the ball and dictate the pace of the game.

Raphinha will be back on the right wing, and Ansu Fati is expected to keep his place on the left after an impressive outing last time around. La Liga top scorer Robert Lewandowski will lead the front line.

Possible Lineup (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Alonso, Balde; Kessie, Busquets, Gavi; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Fati

Barcelona predicted XI vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti will be without the services of Ferland Mendy, who has picked up yet another knock after recently returning from a hamstring injury.

Antonio Rudiger is also doubtful for this fixture after missing out on their last outing. However, the manager is confident that he could be fit to start in this match.

Real Madrid will start with their tried and tested 4-3-3 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. David Alaba and Dani Carvajal are expected to start as the full-backs. Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger are likely to start in the heart of the defence.

As far as the midfield is concerned, the veteran Luka Modric will start alongside Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga. The trio will look to control the pace of the game and not allow Barcelona to dominate the possession.

Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes are expected to start as the wingers. And, the hat-trick hero from their last outing, Karim Benzema will be leading the attack.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Valverde, Camavinga, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius

Real Madrid XI vs Barcelona

Key Stats

  • Real Madrid have 101 wins, while Barcelona have won 100 out of the 253 matches played between the two teams.
  • Real Madrid have lost their last three matches against Barcelona, all three defeats have come in 2023.
  • Los Blancos have already lost three of their 11 matches in La Liga in 2023. They had suffered just four defeats in the entire 2022.
  • Barcelona are on a five-match winning streak in all competitions.
  • The Catalan giants have won five out of their last six matches against Real Madrid in all competitions.

Player to Watch

Karim Benzema

Embed from Getty Images

Benzema has been the main man for Real Madrid over the last few seasons. And, once again all the focus will be on the French star as Los Blancos look to bounce back from their 1-0 loss against Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.

The 35-year-old striker has 27 goal contributions in his 30 outings in the ongoing season. And, Carlo Ancelotti will depend on his leading marksman as they look to progress into the final of the Copa del Rey.

Prediction

Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid

Barcelona are on a five-match winning streak in all competitions. And, they have already defeated Madrid thrice in the calendar year. While Real Madrid have won only three out of their last match five matches. However, their recent 6-0 win over Valladolid will give them confidence heading into this fixture.

On paper, the two teams look ever but the recent results suggest that the Catalan giants might have the upper hand. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 draw between the two teams which will mean Barcelona head into the final of the Copa del Rey (3-2 on aggregate).

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