The second El Clasico of the season kicks off on Sunday night at the Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid host Barcelona. The visitors are two points up on Real Madrid and the La Liga title is up for grabs when the sides meet.
Real Madrid are coming off of a midweek Champions League last 16 loss to Manchester City at home 2-1. Los Blancos took a second-half lead through Isco but were pegged back. Real Madrid did not play the flowing attacking football fans are used to against the Cityzens.
Zinedine Zidane will hope his side can improve and retake the lead in La Liga. Los Blancos are winless in their last two league matches with just one point from six.
Barcelona have won four straight games in La Liga including last weekend’s match versus Eibar, 5-0. The Blaugrana are unbeaten in seven straight matches against Real Madrid in all competitions. Los Blancos’ most recent win came in the 2016-17 Spanish Super Cup.
#ElClásico training! 🏋️♂️ pic.twitter.com/Npi4sOgP61— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 28, 2020
#ElClásico training! 🏋️♂️ pic.twitter.com/Npi4sOgP61
Real Madrid have taken 28 points from 36 possible this season at home. The team have conceded just nine goals at the Santiago Bernabeu showing a strong defensive backbone.
Barcelona have taken 18 points from 36 on the road. If there is a flaw in this Barcelona side it is playing away from the comforts of Camp Nou. They have conceded 17 times away from home while scoring just 18 goals on the road.
Injuries could play a major factor in El Clasico. Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele are both ruled out for Barcelona. Full-back Jordi Alba is ruled out with a groin injury and won’t be back until March. Sergi Roberto is also ruled out of the fixture.
Perhaps a major injury problem for Barcelona coach Quique Setien is the ankle sprain Gerard Pique suffered in the Champions League against Napoli. Pique rolled his ankle in the dying minutes of the game and is a doubt for El Clasico.
Real Madrid are without Eden Hazard due to another ankle injury. Marco Asensio is ruled out through injury as well. Zidane has no other injury issues and having a fitter team could enable Real Madrid to pick up all three points at home.
Expect a thrilling El Clasico with over 2.5 goals and both teams finding the back of the net. Real Madrid will get the win and move back into first place in La Liga.