Match Preview

Real Madrid travel to the Camp Nou to take on rival Barcelona for the first El Clasico of the season on Wednesday. This is the most important match of the season so far as well since both clubs are in a deadlock in the standings.

Both Real and Barcelona are tied on points in the league table, however Barcelona hold the first spot with goal differential. Both clubs also drew over the weekend to bring them to this point.

Barcelona have yet to lose at the Camp Nou this season. So, if Real hope to get all three points they must be the first to do so if they hope to achieve all three points.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid’s injury list remains similar to what was seen against Valencia over the weekend. Hazard, Marcelo, Vazquez, James and Asensio all remain out for the match. Ferland Mendy returns to the squad.

Barcelona will be without both Ousmane Dembele and Arthur.

There are no suspensions for either club in this match.

Potential XIs

Barcelona

Ter Stegen: Roberto, Piqué, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitić, Busquets, de Jong; Messi, Griezmann, Suarez

Real Madrid

Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Rodrygo, Bale, Benzema

Mendy should be able to return to the lineup after missing the Valencia match over the weekend.

Casemiro sat for the Valencia match since he was facing suspension ahead of El Clasico, but he should absolutely be starting against Barcelona. That leaves Zidane to choose between Modric and Valverde.

Bale did not start over the weekend, Isco did. He may get a start alongside Rodrygo and Benzema for a huge match like this.

Prediction

Barcelona—Real Madrid 3-3

This is a match where neither club want to lose to the other. A draw is certainly fine, a win is better, but Real will not want to lose this match.

Barcelona are a difficult side to handle at home. There’s a reason they are undefeated at the Camp Nou this season. They have dropped points, but it will be difficult to force a loss in their house especially without Hazard.

Real must play the best football they have all season if they hope to capture all three points. This is a huge match in the league table that Los Blancos need to capitalize on. It won’t ruin their season with a loss, but it would mean they would start having to play catch-up.

Real Madrid are capable of beating this Barcelona side. Real have been much better this season and they have the tools to get a win here on the road.

This is El Clasico. This is where Real can prove they have bounced back this season by taking down their biggest rival in their own stadium.