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Real Madrid – FC Barcelona (La Liga)

This saturday night, Santiago Bernabéu will host one more edition of the thrilling El Classico between two of the best teams in the world, with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona measuring forces for 33rd round of La Liga. Extremely motivated with the qualification to the semi-finals of the Champions League, Real Madrid has here the ultimate test that can guarantee the tittle if they are succeeded. FC Barcelona are unmotivated after failing to make another overturn in the Champions League, this time against Juventus, which ruled them out of european competitions for the rest of the season.

Real Madrid holds the 1st place in the La Liga table with 75 points, which comes from 23 victories, 6 draws and 2 defeats, with 82 goals scored and 33 goals conceded. The victory over Bayern Munich in midweek not only stamped Real’s pass to the Champions League semi-finals, where they will face Atlético Madrid, but also made them the first team ever to guarantee 7 consecutive presences in the Champions League semi-finals. Cristiano scored an hat-trick and also became the first player to ever score 100 goals in the Champions League. It is a fact that the Merengues might accuse some physical tiredness, but the same thing can happen with their opponents, which will balance things up. Los Blancos are leading the Spanish league with 3 points advantage over Barcelona, and are still with one game behind schedule, so a victory here would leave the Madrid side with 6 points advantage and one game yet to be disputed, against Celta Vigo, which would be a huge boost in their objective of becoming Spanish champions, since the remaining games are, theoretically, accessible.

With Barcelona being forced to win in Madrid, the catalans are forced do adopt a more offensive strategy that allows them to create more danger. Such a strategy forces Barça to play high up on the field a leave very space on the back, which can result with Real Madrid bombing balls over the top into the space behind and taking advantage of their favorite offensive transition, counter-attack. Besides that, the Merengues are unbeatable at home this season, in the spanish league, e their last defeat in home soil was against Atletico Madrid, in February 2016. Although they face some defensive loopholes, this is an extremely offensive team and experts in several process, such as counter-attacks, offensive set pieces, attacking down the wings and creating scoring chances through individual skill, counting with very influential and decisive players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Isco, Benzema, among others, that are capable of making the difference at any instant.

In their last 5 official games, Real Madrid won 4 games and draw the other one. This sequence of results started with 2-4 away victory against Leganés. This victory was followed by a 1-1 home draw agains Atletico Madrid, a 1-2 win over Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena, a 2-3 away win against Sporting Gijón, and in their last clash, a 4-2 home win against Bayern Munich. Pepe and Varane are both out due to injury.

Probable Lineup: Navas – Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos and Marcelo – Casemiro, Kroos and Modric – Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

FC Barcelona are 2nd place in the La Liga table with 72 points, which comes from 22 victories, 6 draws and 4 defeats, with 91 goals scored and 30 conceded. Unlike their opponents here, Barça doesn’t arrive here with many motives to smile after being unable of making another overturn in the Champions League quarter-finals, like they did against PSG in the previous eliminatory, being ruled out of the european competition by the mighty Juventus. The catalans are now forced to turn full attention in reducing the disadvantage they have in relation to the Merengues, and a victory here would not only be a huge boost of confidence, as it would also be an exponential increase in their chances of becoming spanish champions once again.

However, Luis Enrique’s men arrives here emotionally worn out and are still with one less resting day than Real Madrid. Neymar’s absence will be a huge blow in the Blaugrana offensive sector, since this is a game where Barcelona needs to assume the game and seek for the victory, which at the same time will be a risk since it will favour the chances of Real Madrid counterattack. Fouls in dangerous areas is also something to avoid at all costs, since the catalans areal duels are neither near nor far compared to the Madrid side, which are experts in attacking set pieces. Still, Barça stands out for their enormous finalization power, being the spanish side with more goals scored in the league, and are huge threats when attacking down the wings, taking free kicks and also counts with very talented players, such as Messi, Suárez, Iniesta, Rakitic, among others.

In their last 5 official games, Barcelona won 2, draw 1 and lost the remaining 2. This sequence of results began with a 3-0 home victory agains Sevilla. This result was followed by a 2-0 away defeat against Málaga, a 3-0 defeat at Juve’s home ground, a 3-2 victory over Real Sociedad at Camp Nou, and in their last clash, a 0-0 home draw against Juventus. Aleix Vidal and Rafinha are both out due to injury, while Neymar is suspended.

Probable Lineup: Stegen – Piqué, Mascherano and Umtiti – Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Roberto and Alba – Messi – Suárez.

Real Madrid won 3 of their last 8 direct clashes, drawing 1 and losing the remaining 4.

In one of the most awaited features of the year, it ins’t to expect less than a game with a breathtaking pace, full of intensity from start to finish. Barcelona are the ones who needs to risk the most here and needs the 3 points, what will certainly open spaces in their defensive sector and allow Real Madrid to take advantage of that space to go on a counter-attack. It is to be expected a game full goal chances in the two sides of the field, but it should be Real Madrid to take the full prize here.