Uruguay star Luis Suarez could make his long-awaited return to the pitch and Barcelona debut when they travel to Real Madrid for the first El Clasico of the season on Saturday evening. The striker joined Barcelona from Liverpool for 75 million pounds this summer but has not played yet due to a worldwide ban following his bite of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.
Barcelona defeated Ajax 3-1 at home in the Champions League this week, with Lionel Messi and Neymar getting on the score sheet. Coach Luis Enrique might choose to field Luis Suarez alongside Messi and Neymar in a stellar attacking line. Messi and Naymar have each scored in all of Barcelona's last five meetings.
Real Madrid also secured an impressive result in the Champions League, 3-0 against Liverpool at Anfield, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema scoring. Ronaldo has scored an amazing 20 goals in 15 matches this season but he will face a tough test against unbeaten Barcelona. The Catalans are leading the league table, four points clear of Real Madrid. The visitors will be without Gareth Bale, who will most likely be replaced by Isco. Barcelona won both league matches against their big rivals last season but Carlo Ancelotti's side earned revenge in the Copa del Rey final.
Probable starting line-ups:
Real: Casillas - Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo - Kroos, Modric - James, Isco, Ronaldo - Benzema
Barcelona: Bravo - Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba - Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta - Neymar, Messi, Suarez
My prediction: 2-2 draw.
Here are the odds for the big match at Bet365:
Real Madrid win - 11/8 Draw - 11/4 Barcelona win - 2/1
sebeksk 9 years ago
Real Madrid is much better team then Barcelona now and they showed that in El Clasico. They kept whole game in their feet, and they gave few chances to Barcelona to score. Barcelona is struggling to play better and to raise form for rest of the season. At the end, better team won, and congrats to Real Madrid.
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Tomas.White 9 years ago
It sure was amazing to see Luis Suarez in Barcelona uniform. He had assist on his debut and played very well, it is unfortunate that they have lost. Good game for Toni Kroos. He stopred all attacks of Barcelona and had over eighty percents of accurate passes which is really amazing. It is going to be very interesting...
It sure was amazing to see Luis Suarez in Barcelona uniform. He had assist on his debut and played very well, it is unfortunate that they have lost. Good game for Toni Kroos. He stopred all attacks of Barcelona and had over eighty percents of accurate passes which is really amazing. It is going to be very interesting Primera.
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mico.femic.1 9 years ago
It was great match, we sow a lot of goals and win for Real Madrid. Before match I give bigger chanse to Barcelona but one thing was sure - a lot of goals. Another score for Ronaldo is important thing for him and real. he keep to score and this may be his biggest season in his life. Real deserved this win and now this race...
It was great match, we sow a lot of goals and win for Real Madrid. Before match I give bigger chanse to Barcelona but one thing was sure - a lot of goals. Another score for Ronaldo is important thing for him and real. he keep to score and this may be his biggest season in his life. Real deserved this win and now this race for winner of primera is again intresting
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luminairee 9 years ago
I personally was very surprised of the result when barcelona took the lead within first 10 minutes i thought to myself again they will win but real showed class i very liked the match many actions and good effort by real
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
I agree with you,but it is not good for the team to have only players from other football academies.You need to have players that are their all life in the club,they are important to welcome new players,they can share to them their passion for the club.They live for the club,fans appreciate them no matter on the performances.
I agree with you,but it is not good for the team to have only players from other football academies.You need to have players that are their all life in the club,they are important to welcome new players,they can share to them their passion for the club.They live for the club,fans appreciate them no matter on the performances.
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Milaneli 9 years ago
Real Madrid never had a big scholl, they never relayed on their yought players. Its another thing for Barca, where they let some of the young players play for 1st team. But today's football requies only the best, no one cares if you re young or old, if you play better than other one, you will be the man!
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
When Barca was on the top of the world,it was because their all team was from La Massia ,their football academy.La Massia is fantastic academy.Because of players from La Massia,Spain managed to win titles at two European championships and one World Cup.Barca is the ideal model of team play,especially Barca's team when the...
When Barca was on the top of the world,it was because their all team was from La Massia ,their football academy.La Massia is fantastic academy.Because of players from La Massia,Spain managed to win titles at two European championships and one World Cup.Barca is the ideal model of team play,especially Barca's team when the coach was Guardiola.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
I also think that Real Madrid is big bunch of fantastic individuals.I would agree with MilanChoka about statement that Chelsea is an example of team that plays team football.Real Madrid should start involving more players from their youth academy which is one of the best in the world.
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milanChoka 9 years ago
John Andrew, i really can't explain how somebody can tell the Real Madrid is team. I watched some of their games, and I seen such good moves of individuals, that moves was helped players to score a goal. Not for a moment did not team games. If you watched Chelsea today, you can saw real team play.
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aleksandar vlaisavljevic 9 years ago
now is clear which team is royal team! they played better, christiano is God of football and I must say that even I agree that as a team(union) they could be better, but individualy the best team in Europe apsolutely is Real. great El Clasico!
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John Andrew 9 years ago
I can't agree with you milanChoka. They are the European champions, and title like this couldn't won without teamwork. It's correct that Real Madrid have the best individual players, but they are now also the best team in Europe. In next period they will be the world champions.
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milanChoka 9 years ago
Barca need little more time to make real team. They have new players, and ten matches is not enough for him to become Barca. Real Madrid have new players too, but I think they never become team. That happened past few years. They have individuals with good performance who never become team.
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madzgos 9 years ago
Of course in Barcelona is a lot of pressure, but great coach approve his coaching quality in these clubs. I know that him is difficult, this is his first el clasico like a coach, but good example is Tata Martino. He maybe isn't coach better then Enrique, but he have a authority, and in el clasicos Barca plays well.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
John Andrew you are right.Alongside Messi and Ronaldo he is best forward in the world.I would also say that Neymar is also currently on their level.Suarez will score a lots of goals in La Liga,I am deffinitely sure about that.What do you think John,who will be el Pichichi this season?
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
Luis Enrique is not the best coach in the world,but surely he has some qualitiies.Last season his team,Celta played very good football.He even managed to beat Real Madrid with Celta.Big problem is the fact in Celta he did not had any kind of pressure and in Barcelona is a lot of pressure.
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John Andrew 9 years ago
I agree with madzgos about Suarez. Everybody remember his last season. He maybe was the best on the world. Temperament does not allow him to be better than Messi and Ronaldo, because I think that Luis is more talented of both. Sometimes last night versus Ramos, he showed a class. He would be just better and better.
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John Andrew 9 years ago
What a match last night... Real Madrid absolutely was superb. I am thrilled with Marcelo and James Rodriguez plays. Barca good start the match, Neymar score great goal, defense look`s funny when he score. But later everything changed. Real dominate in all segments of play. They may won more then 3:1, but they had some mistakes...
What a match last night... Real Madrid absolutely was superb. I am thrilled with Marcelo and James Rodriguez plays. Barca good start the match, Neymar score great goal, defense look`s funny when he score. But later everything changed. Real dominate in all segments of play. They may won more then 3:1, but they had some mistakes in finishing of counter attack.
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madzgos 9 years ago
Stupid is debated about Suarez's football quality. They are maybe with Messi and Ronaldo the best forward on the world. Nobody can't expect from him, after four months, to play like a last year. About Luis Enrique, I never mind for him that is a right coach for Barcelona, like he didn't be enough quality for Roma.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
MilanChoka I understand what you wantt to say.You are right,he really is great player.A player that can score 31 goal in Premier League which is stronger than La Liga,really could score more than 40 goals in La Liga.We will see in the matches ahead of us how good he is ,I'm sure he will prove his quality.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
Yes madzgos,Neymar didn't play spectacular last season,but this season he had some impressive performances.He and Messi are very compatible.Good thing for Barcelona is the fact that these two players are really helping each other on the pitch,they are not competing who is better player.
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