Barcelona could secure the league title by avoiding a defeat against Real Madrid in front of their home crowd in the latest instalment of El Clasico.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are both ready for another high-voltage clash, this time at the Camp Nou. The Catalan giants will be fighting to get their hands on the league title, while Los Blancos will look to silence all the noise around them with a statement win.
The home team have been flying high in La Liga. They have 88 points in their 34 outings and are 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid. With five games to go, Barcelona are pretty much certain to defend the league title, but they would love to get it done against their arch-rivals and in front of their home fans.
All they need is a draw or a win to get it done and dusted. The Catalan giants have won all 17 of their home league games, and will look to maintain that run. Barcelona are in red-hot form heading into this fixture, as they have won each of their last 10 league outings across competitions.
While Real Madrid do not have anything at stake, this game is of very high importance for the club. Not only can they salvage some pride with a win here, but they could also shift the focus away from all the dressing room rift and chaos.
Los Blancos have 77 points in their 34 outings, and they are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over Espanyol. However, the mood in the camp might not be that great following the Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni incident on Thursday. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
Hansi Flick will be without the services of Lamine Yamal (hamstring) for this fixture. Apart from the teenage sensation, everyone else should be available for selection.
The Catalan giants will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Joan Garcia will be an automatic pick in goal. Eric Garcia and Joao Cancelo could be the full-backs, while Pau Cubarsi will partner with Gerard Martin in central defence.
In the centre of the park, Pedri and Gavi could form the double pivot. Not only will they shield the backline, but they could also look to control the tempo of the game.
Even if Raphinha is back fit, he might not be risked from the start. Roony Bardghji and Fermin Lopez are expected to feature on the flanks, with Dani Olmo taking up the number ten role. Expect veteran striker Robert Lewandowski to lead the line in the clasico.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Eric Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin, Cancelo; Gavi, Pedri; Bardghji, Olmo, Fermin; Lewandowski
Real Madrid
Los Blancos will be without quite a few of their first-team stars. Dani Ceballos (thigh), Ferland Mendy (ligament), Rodrygo (knee), Eder Militao (hamstring), Arda Guler (thigh), and Dani Carvajal (leg) are all out injured.
Meanwhile, Valverde has been sidelined for two weeks because of a head injury after his physical confrontation with Tchouameni, who is also unlikely to feature in this fixture, as Real Madrid look to take disciplinary action against the duo.
Alvaro Arbeloa does have a boost as Thibaut Courtois and Kylian Mbappe are back fit ahead of the big clash. The duo is unlikely to start, but Mbappe will most likely make an appearance on the bench.
Los Blancos could stick with the 4-4-2 formation, where Andriy Lunin will feature in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras are expected to be the full-backs, while Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen could feature in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Jude Bellingham and Brahim Diaz could take charge in the wide areas, while Eduardo Camavinga and Thiago Pitarch will be the two central midfielders. The four will look to protect the backline and create chances for their forwards.
In the final third, Gonzalo Garcia should partner with in-form Vinicius Junior.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Diaz, Camavinga, Pitarch, Bellingham; Garcia, Vinicius Junior
Key Stats
- Barcelona have won each of their 17 league home games, their first perfect run since 1985-86.
- The Catalan giants have won each of their last ten league outings.
- While Real Madrid won the reverse fixture 2-1, Barcelona came out on top in the Spanish Super Cup 3-2.
- Without Courtois in goal, Los Blancos have only kept one clean sheet in eight games.
- Barcelona have won five out of their last six games against Real Madrid.
Player to Watch
Roony Bardghji
With Lamine Yamal sidelined because of injury, Roony Bardghji has a huge opportunity to make his mark in one of the biggest fixtures in world football. The 20-year-old winger has already shown glimpses of his immense potential this season, contributing towards six goals in less than 800 minutes of action.
While he has not been directly involved in a goal in his last three outings, this could be the perfect stage for him to announce himself. Bardghji’s direct running, flair, and ability to create problems in one-on-one situations could be a major weapon for Barcelona against a depleted Real Madrid team.
Prediction
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
Barcelona head into this fixture as clear favourites given their incredible form in La Liga and their dominant home record. The Catalan giants have won all 17 of their league games at Camp Nou this season and will be desperate to wrap up the title against their fiercest rivals. Even without Lamine Yamal, Hansi Flick’s team still have enough firepower to hurt Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos have quite a few injury concerns and are also dealing with off-field distractions ahead of the Clasico. While players like Vinicius Junior can certainly make a difference, Real Madrid have not looked convincing defensively in recent weeks. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the home team.