The most exciting clash in La Liga is back this weekend as Real Madrid lock horns with Barcelona on Saturday. Real Madrid will host Barcelona at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on Saturday.
Barcelona is sitting at second position in the points table while defending champions Real Madrid are two points behind them. The title race in Spain is wide open. Barcelona’s fate lies in their hands with games against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the coming weeks. They are one point behind the league leaders Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona can also go on top of the league by winning against Real Madrid on Saturday since Atletico Madrid will be playing later this weekend. Meanwhile, Real Madrid can go level on points with Colchoneros by a victory in El Classico. Real Madrid leads in head-to-head results against Barcelona with 97 wins.
Team News
Real Madrid
Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last 12 fixtures. Despite not having the defensive duo of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, they won in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Liverpool on Tuesday.
The defending champions will be without captain Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Dani Carvajal, and Eden Hazard on Saturday. Zidane has come up with effective tactics to grind out results during this injury crisis, so another masterclass could be on the cards in El Classico.
Barcelona
On the other hand, Barcelona has lost only one game in the last 12 games. They were already knocked out in the Champions League by Paris Saint Germain. Koeman doesn’t want to risk his experienced center-back. Gerard Pique and Philippe Coutinho will be missing El Classico on Saturday.
Oscar Mingueza to partner Clément Lenglet and Frenkie De Jong in a three-man central defense against Real Madrid. Barcelona has to show up this time because they have the clear road to the La Liga title if they win this crucial El Classico.
Squad List
Real Madrid
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, and Altube.
Defenders: E. Militão, Nacho, Marcelo, Odriozola and F. Mendy.
Midfielders: Kroos, Modrić, Casemiro, Valverde, and Isco.
Forwards: Benzema, Asensio, Lucas V., Vinicious Jr., Mariano, and Rodrygo
Barcelona
Goalkeepers: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inaki Pena, Arnau Tenas.
Defenders: Sergino Dest, Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti, Junior Firpo, Oscar Mingueza.
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Miralem Pjanic, Riqui Puig, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Ilaix Moriba.
Forwards: Antoine Griezmann, Martin Braithwaite, Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele, Francisco Trincao.