The top two unbeaten teams in La Liga after eight rounds of fixtures, Barcelona and Real Madrid, tied at 22 points and only separated by goal difference, will clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday at 15:15 GMT.
The defending champions, Real Madrid, will be looking to put some breaks on the insurgence of a surging Barcelona as they look to retain their title this season. Barcelona will seek to lay down a massive marker early on in the season and make a statement of intent with a win away from home.
Match Preview
Can Real Madrid Push Back against Barcelona’s Title Charge?
Carlo Ancelotti will motivate his side to make ascertain their quality and dominance over their rivals in the Clasico at a rocking Bernabeu on Sunday.
The focus of the champions will be to dominate their rivals and show that the gulf in quality and class still exists this season. Although the Blaugrana have started impressively this season, Los Blancos have equally been impressive.
Ancelotti and his men will know that a win will be a massive psychological blow to their rivals; which is sufficient motivation for them to go the jugular on Sunday.
Can Barcelona Make a Statement of Intent with a Win at the Bernabeu?
Xavi Hernandez will be excited to lead his rejuvenated and re-born side into the Clasico at the Bernabeu as they look to lay down a market of their quality and intent to win the title this season.
For most new Blaugrana signings, this will be their first Clasico; this will be an important clash for them as they look to strike a robust psychological blow to their direct arch-rivals and direct competitors for La Liga.
Xavi will be focused on the tactical nuances for his side, as he looks to get the small things right against a dangerous opponent. He will look to press well as a team and dominate the ball.
Form Guide
Real Madrid
Los Blancos have won seven and drawn once in the unbeaten opening to the season so far. They have collected 22 points and currently sit second on the La Liga log only by goal difference against league leaders Barcelona.
Ancelotti’s men have scored 19 goals and conceded seven in this run; this leaves them with a goal difference of 12 compared to Barcelona’s 19.
In their last five matches, Real Madrid have won four times and drawn once. They have haled 13 points and dropped two in the process.
Barcelona
The Blaugrana have started the season well, with an unbeaten record. Xavi’s charges have won seven matches and drawn one, out of the eight they have played so far. They have collected 22 points and dropped just two in the process.
The Camp Nou side have scored 20 goals and conceded just once. They have kept seven clean sheets, which highlights their solidity this term. The goal difference of 19 gives them the edge over Barcelona on the table.
They have a 100% record in their last 5 outings in La Liga; they have hauled 15 points out of the available 15.
Possible Starting Lineups
Real Madrid
T. Courtois; F. Mendy, D. Alaba, E. Militao, D. Carvajal; T. Kroos, A. Tchouameni, L. Modric; V. Junior, K. Benzema, F. Valverde
Barcelona
M. ter Stegen; S. Roberto, E. Garcia, G. Pique, M. Alonso; Gavi, S. Busquets, Pedri; O. Dembele, R. Lewandowski, Raphinha
Players to Watch
K. Benzema
The fit-again French international, and Los Blancos Talisman, is likely to start and lead the line for Ancelotti’s side on Sunday.
Using his experience and quality in front of goal, Benzema will be crucial in stretching the Barcelona defense and will be a danger throughout the clash.
R. Lewandowski
The experienced Pole will have his first taste of the Clasico on Sunday; he will want to do well. With 9 goals in 8 appearances for the Blaugrana, Lewandowski is proving to be a goal machine against any opponent.
Lewandowski will be a danger in the Clasico, which is shaping up to be a clash between the two strikers (Benzema versus Lewandowski)
Prediction
Real Madrid will seek to impose their style on Barcelona from the off; they will look for a fast start.
Barcelona will seek to be patient with their passing, take the sting out of the game, and then grow their influence.
Real Madrid will win the day in what is likely to be a pulsating encounter.
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