The first El Clasico of the season is coming up on Saturday when Real Madrid play host to defending champions Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu. Last season Real defeated Barcelona 3-1 in Madrid, with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema. The reverse fixture was won by Barcelona thanks to a decisive goal from Luis Suarez. Barca have the upper hand in the head-to-head record, with 25 wins compared to Real Madrid's 17, while 16 matches ended in draws.
Real Madrid suffered their first loss of the season just before the international break, when Sevilla beat them 3-2. They have lost the top spot of the Primera Liga table and are now three points behind bitter rivals Barcelona. Before that defeat they had three consecutive league wins. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored eight of his team's 26 league goals this season. Keylor Navas should return between the sticks after missing the last two matches with a groin injury. Karim Benzema could also make his return from injury, but will probably be on the bench.
Barcelona are now leading the Primera Liga table after recording a solid 3-0 victory over Villarreal before the international break. They have won four consecutive league matches after having lost to Sevilla and Celta Vigo earlier in the season. Lionel Messi has been injured for quite some time now, but Luis Suarez and Neymar provided the goals in his absence. The South-American duo scored all 17 goals for Barca in their last seven competitive matches. Messi could be fit to play after a knee ligament injured, as he has trained with the reserves team during the international break. Ivan Rakitic could miss out due to a calf injury.
Probable line-ups:
Real Madrid: Navas - Pepe, Ramos, Varane, Danilo - Kross, Modric, Casemiro - Isco, Ronaldo, Bale
Barcelona: Bravo - Pique, Alves, Alba, Mathieu - Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic - Suarez, Neymar, Messi
My prediction: 1-1 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Real Madrid win - 2.50 Draw - 3.75 Barcelona win - 2.80
Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
This is most expecting match in football.Every single part of the game is being analyzed before,during and after the game.I suppose that not even the most passioned fans of Barcelona did not expected so spectacular win against their biggest rival.Barca showed that they are spectacular team even without a Messi and Andres...
This is most expecting match in football.Every single part of the game is being analyzed before,during and after the game.I suppose that not even the most passioned fans of Barcelona did not expected so spectacular win against their biggest rival.Barca showed that they are spectacular team even without a Messi and Andres Iniesta again proved that he is probably best midfielder in the world in alst 10 years.
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Savini7 8 years ago
No one expected this results to be. Its is a shame from Real as newspiridon said. Ronaldo? Who? where he was today? Real Madrid fans are surley disappointed with the game of their players. My prediction was to Barsa win but this result is to big.
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newspiridon
8 years ago
A disappointing match from Real in my opinion. I was expecting more from them. To lose 4-0 on your own field (even is a match against Barcelona) it is a shame. I expect to score at least once Real but they did not. It is first time in last 18 matches between these 2 teams when one of them did not scored. The only "tradition"...
A disappointing match from Real in my opinion. I was expecting more from them. To lose 4-0 on your own field (even is a match against Barcelona) it is a shame. I expect to score at least once Real but they did not. It is first time in last 18 matches between these 2 teams when one of them did not scored. The only "tradition" they kept is 8th match with over 2.5 goals.
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GREGJO
8 years ago
Rafa Benitez is a very tactical and defense-minded manager, so I think we won't see a lot of goals. Real Madrid's defense are better in my opinion, and Navas is a much better goalkeeper than Bravo. I'm sure the home side will be well-organized and lethal on the counter-attacks. On the other hand stopping of the MSN seems...
Rafa Benitez is a very tactical and defense-minded manager, so I think we won't see a lot of goals. Real Madrid's defense are better in my opinion, and Navas is a much better goalkeeper than Bravo. I'm sure the home side will be well-organized and lethal on the counter-attacks. On the other hand stopping of the MSN seems a very hard task. I think "both team to score - YES" is the best choice for this match.
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nik92 8 years ago
I can not wait to start the game, but on this team that you wrote, it seems that Benitez decided on defensive tactics. It is unacceptable for Real Madrid who play against Barcelona in Madrid. Where is Rodriguez and Benzema? if they are playing defensively Barcelona will win. They have to attack immediately, and have a chance...
I can not wait to start the game, but on this team that you wrote, it seems that Benitez decided on defensive tactics. It is unacceptable for Real Madrid who play against Barcelona in Madrid. Where is Rodriguez and Benzema? if they are playing defensively Barcelona will win. They have to attack immediately, and have a chance to win first place in the standings again. My suggestion is that Real Madrid win.
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sharpe
8 years ago
Both teams had their ups and downs trough the season so far so I think the draw would be probably a logical result. There aren't too many draws between those two in the last few seasons so why not now. But if some of the teams succeed in winning that one I will be surprised if the difference in goals is more than one,...
Both teams had their ups and downs trough the season so far so I think the draw would be probably a logical result. There aren't too many draws between those two in the last few seasons so why not now. But if some of the teams succeed in winning that one I will be surprised if the difference in goals is more than one, no matter in which favour.
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gavriloprincip1914 8 years ago
This is very important match for all football fans, espicially for funs of both teams. It is very difficult to give prediction for this match, but i think we will watch fun and good football match with a lot of goals. Messi against C.Ronaldo one more time could be interesting meeting, and that rivalry between them could...
This is very important match for all football fans, espicially for funs of both teams. It is very difficult to give prediction for this match, but i think we will watch fun and good football match with a lot of goals. Messi against C.Ronaldo one more time could be interesting meeting, and that rivalry between them could have effect on the final result. Finally, my prediction is 2:2..
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Savini7 8 years ago
As always El Clasico is a match of season. I think that Barcelona is in better form and that they will win this time. But Real Madrid is always strong, especially when they play on their pitch. With Ronaldo, Benzema and Rodriguez on one side and Neimar, Messi and Suarez on the other side it is certain that we can expect...
As always El Clasico is a match of season. I think that Barcelona is in better form and that they will win this time. But Real Madrid is always strong, especially when they play on their pitch. With Ronaldo, Benzema and Rodriguez on one side and Neimar, Messi and Suarez on the other side it is certain that we can expect a lot of goals. My prediction is 1:2 for Barselona..
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