Real Madrid host Barcelona in the first Clasico of the 2022-23 season at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
The two teams split points before this game, but the visiting team, Barca, is currently leading the La Liga by goal difference.
Barcelona are feeling a little disappointed before this match because they risk being excluded from the Champions League while Real Madrid have moved on to the round of 16.
News of the two teams before the match
The defending Real Madrid champion will have to do without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is very important to his team, and midfielder Dani Ceballos.
Antonio Rudiger, who was the hero who brought Shakhtar Donetsk to the draw on Wednesday, suffered a facial injury in that match but is only ready to wear a protective mask for the match.
Rudiger is still expected to start on the bench, meaning Militao and Alaba will share the central defense while Ferland Mendy will start from the left.
Valverde will be part of the attack with Karim Benzema and Viniciur Jr. while Aurelien Tchouameni will share the midfield with the two specialists Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
On the Barcelona side, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Hector Bellerin and Memphis Depay are still injured but Jules Kounde is back.
Kounde could replace Gerard Pique who had a poor performance in the last match against Inter Milan.
The two defenders may include Sergi Roberto and Balde, with Gavi still ahead of Frankie De Jong and Pedri and Sergio Busquets in midfield.
There is a possibility that Ansu Fati can start this match, replacing Raphinha, and the attack can consist of Lewandowski and Dembele.
Reason table for both groups
real Madrid (4-3-3): Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Tchouameni, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicus Junior
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Roberto, Kounde, Garcia, Balde; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Fati, Lewandowski, Dembele
Session information
Competition: La Liga
Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu
Time: 17:15 Horn of Africa time
Garsoore: José Sanchez
YOU KNOW?
- In 184 games of the Clasico in La Liga, Real Madrid have won 76 games while Barcelona have won 73 and the rest have been a draw.
- Real Madrid have won five of Clasico’s last six games.
- A win today would mean that, for the first time since 2019, Barcelona have won two in a row against Madrid.
