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Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona
This week’s Premier League clash between Liverpool and Man City is the English classic. Everything you need to know about this match can be found in our Liverpool – Man City betting tip.
But the real classic is known from La Liga. It is arguably the greatest football match that club football offers at national level in Europe: El Clásico! And how could it be otherwise than that Barcelona, as leaders in Spain, travel to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish capital! It’s not just the Clásico, but the battle for the top spot in La Liga. For this, both clubs go into the match with the same starting position. The Royals only drew with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League during the week. The Blaugrana also drew with Inter Milan. In addition, both teams are still unbeaten in La Liga this season.
Thus, a back story could not be hotter. Whoever wins the Clásico will take the lead in the standings and inflict the first defeat on their arch-rivals. What we expect from the 196th official El Clásico, you can read in our Real Madrid – Barcelona betting tip.
Real Madrid – Barcelona Info:
– Date & Time: 16.10.2022, 16:15 hrs.
– Venue: Madrid, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
– Competition: La Liga, Matchday 9
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Real Madrid Form & Balance Check
The 1-1 equaliser in the final minute from Antonio Rudiger in Warsaw on Tuesday kept the Madrilenians’ ongoing run of no competitive defeats this season alive. Still, Ancelotti’s team might have wished for a better result against Donetsk ahead of their most important game of the season so far. Be that as it may. Even so, the royals are enormously strong. After Real only played 1-1 against Osasuna in La Liga, Barça took over the lead in the table. However, Madrid countered with a 1-0 away win at Getafe, which is why both teams go into Sunday’s Clásico level on points. In La Liga, the white ballet has won seven of its eight games so far.
Are Real having trouble scoring?
Even though Real Madrid are still undefeated, things have not gone their usual way in recent weeks, especially on the offensive. In the last four competitive games, the royals only scored two goals in the 2-1 first leg win against Donetsk. Against Osasuna, Getafe and in the second leg against Shakhtar, the reigning champions scored only once each. That is extraordinary, as the Blancos had previously scored at least twice in all duels in La Liga from Matchday 1 to Matchday 6. Nevertheless, with 19 goals in eight games, the capitals provide the best offence after FC Barcelona, who scored once more.
Real Madrid facts & analysis
– Real Madrid are 2nd in the table with 22 points.
– The Royals last won in La Liga with 1-0 at Getafe.
– Real have not yet lost a game in La Liga this season.
Barcelona Form & Balance Check
Everything is going perfectly for FC Barcelona this season. At least in La Liga this statement is true, as Barça, like Real, are still unbeaten in Spain. In addition, the goal difference of the Catalans with +7 is better than that of the Madrilenians, which is why the team of coach Xavi goes into the Clásico as the leader of the table. In La Liga, the Blaugrana have celebrated seven wins in a row. Only on Matchday 1 did Barcelona draw 0-0 with Rayo Vallecano. In addition, the Catalans have conceded only one goal in La Liga. Only on matchday 2, in a 4-1 away win at Real Sociedad, did Marc-André ter Stegen make a save. Barça have now scored six times in a row in Spain.
Appearances are deceptive
Looking ahead to the Champions League, which Barcelona will in all likelihood leave after the group stage, the Blaugrana have been truly tested. Barça only won their game against Viktoria Pilsen 5-1 and then lost 2-0 at Bayern and 1-0 Inter. Only on Wednesday did the return match against the Italians end in a 3-3 draw. All the results show that the level of the La Liga clubs poses no challenge to the Catalans. But as soon as it comes against teams Barcelona sees itself on a par with, the nerves fail. The defence gives the impression of not being at international level, as it has looked so far in La Liga. Seven goals conceded in four group games speaks a clear language.
Barcelona facts & analysis
– Barcelona are 1st in the table with 22 points.
– The Blaugrana have won 7 games in a row in La Liga.
– The Catalans have already lost 2 games this season.
Predicted line-up – last update on 14 October 2022
Thibout Courtois will make his return to the Madrilenians’ goal in time for the Clásico. Coach Ancelotti said of the sciatica problems that have kept the Belgian out of action of late: “He feels much better. The plan with him is to get him back in training from Thursday to be ready for Sunday.” So Lunin will have to take his place on the bench again.
Otherwise, Ancelotti is spoilt for choice. Kroos and Modrić are set in midfield and could be accompanied by either Camavinga or Tchouaméni. Benzema and Vinicius Jr. are also in the starting eleven. On the right wing, either Rodyrgo or Valverde will start. There will be no changes to the 4-3-3 system
For FC Barcelona the opposite is the case. This was already evident during the week against Inter. Almost the entire back line is injured. With Koundé, Christensen and Araujo, three regular centre-backs are not available. Right-back Bellerin is also injured. In the offensive line, only Depay is out for the time being. Coach Xavi can rely on his midfield, where all players are fit.
Even de Jong made his comeback against Milan. On the offensive side, Barça will have to decide between Ansu Fati, Torres and Dembélé on the left wing. On the right, Raphinha seems to be set. The Catalans will also play in a 4-3-3 system.
Real Madrid – Barcelona direct comparison & Statistics
The last Clásico went clearly to the Blaugrana. The Catalans won 4-0 at Real to celebrate their first victory over the Madrilenians after five defeats in a row. Madrid won 80 of the 195 Clásicos, while Barça won 76. 39 times the match ended without a winner.
– None of the last 6 duels ended in a draw.
– Barcelona have won 3 of the last 5 Clásicos in Madrid.
– Before the last clásicos in Madrid, Real won 2 home matches in a row against Barça.
– In 1929 the Clásico took place for the 1st time.
