Barcelona vs Real Madrid match preview: Team news, head-to-head, lineups, and predictions

Barcelona team news

Recent form

Following back-to-back defeats against Manchester United and Almeria in the Europa League and La Liga, respectively, Barcelona have bounced back with three wins in a row. Out of their last three wins, one came against Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey.

Key players

With 15 goals and five assists to his name from 21 matches, Robert Lewandowski is thriving in the league for Barcelona. The former Bayern striker is loving life in Spain and will be the one to look out for in El Clasico on Sunday.

Injuries & suspensions

Ronald Araujo is set to return for Barcelona as he has served his one-game ban for a red card. Pedri and Ousmane Dembele remain unavailable due to injuries.

Tactical approach

Barcelona's watertight defence has only let in eight goals from 25 matches this season, 11 fewer than Real Madrid's tally. They will be expected to control the possession and would continue to be hard to score against, even in such a big game like El Clasico.

Real Madrid team news

Recent form

Real Madrid have only lost once in their last 10 outings but that defeat was against Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey semi-final. Carlo Ancelotti's team will take confidence from their last two games which was both wins. In their last outing, they confirmed progress to the next round of the Champions League with a win over Liverpool.

Key players

Karim Benzema has been in fine form in front of goal for Madrid and will be expected to play an important role in the crucial clash against Barcelona. He has missed games this season due to injuries but boast a slightly better scoring rate (0.73 goals per game) than league topscorer Lewandowski (0.71 goals per game).

Injuries & suspensions

David Alaba is Real Madrid's only unavailable player due to injury ahead of El Clasico. Ferland Mendy returned to the squad after a successful recovery from his injury.

Benzema picked up an injury against Liverpool but is expected to be fit for El Clasico.

Tactical approach

Real Madrid were the victors during the last three Clasico fixtures at Camp Nou and they will have to take confidence from that to threaten the strong Barcelona defence. With the team already nine points behind the league leaders, Ancelotti will want his team to be efficient in order to grab maximum points in this must-win clash for Los Blancos.

Head-to-head record

Barcelona have enjoyed the upper hand on Real Madrid in their most recent meetings, with victories in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, but Madrid won when they last met in La Liga, recording a 3-1 triumph.

Venue, date & kick-off time

The Clasico game between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be played at Camp Nou on Sunday, March 19. The game is scheduled to kick off at 8pm GMT (4pm EDT).

Match predictions & expected outcome

It has only been two weeks since the last El Clasico fixture and the fans have the chance to see Barcelona and Real Madrid go head-to-head again. Their previous meeting was in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey semi final and it was won by Barcelona, courtesy an own goal by Eder Militao.

The upcoming fixture Real Madrid's last realistic chance to bring down Barcelona's nine-point lead and have any hope of a title race in La Liga this season. It would be a surprise if Real Madrid don't go all-in to claim a victory and make it three wins in a row at Camp Nou. Barcelona, however, remain the favourites to win, thanks to their current league form and their unbeaten home record in the league this season.

Key battles to watch out for

Benzema is wearing his scoring boots this season, but he will have his task cut out against Ronald Araujo and co. who have only let in eight goals from 25 matches in La Liga. At the other end of the field, Antonio Rudiger will have to be on high alert against the league's top scorer Lewandowski.

Vinicius Jr gave Trent Alexander-Arnold a torrid time in Madrid's last game and Araujo will be tasked with keeping him quiet - keep an eye on that one.

Potential game changers

With 15 goals and five assists in 25 league games, Lewandowski has led the front line brilliantly for Xavi's team and Real Madrid's ability to keep him quiet can decide the game. The same applies to how Barcelona deal with Benzema at the other end, since Madrid's chances will depend on how the Barcelona defence is outwitted over the course of ninety minutes.

• Barcelona go into the game as favourites due to their impressive league form and unbeaten record at home this season.
• Lewandowski and Benzema have big roles to play in the final third for their respective teams if they are to get a positive result.
• It is must-win clash for Real Madrid, who are nine points behind leaders Barcelona after 25 matchdays in La Liga.

• Barcelona team page

• Real Madrid team page

• Live football on TV in the UK

• Live soccer on TV in the U.S.

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