El Clasico Preview, Barcelona Vs. Real Madrid: Prediction, Probable Lineups, And Betting Tips

Match Preview

Two of the greatest football teams in the world, Barcelona and Real Madrid, are set to lock horns against each other. The match, which is famously known as El Clasico, will take place at Camp Nou on Saturday. Football fans from all over the world are full of excitement as they wait for what is arguably the greatest game on the planet, Barcelona vs. Real Madrid. The match will also feature two of the biggest football players on the globe as Messi and Ronaldo go head-to-head against each other.

The countdown continues. ?? #ElClasico pic.twitter.com/Fo56BSkx52

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) November 28, 2016

Saturday’s El Clasico will be crucial to both teams in their title hunt this season. A win is imperative for Barcelona if they hope to win the La Liga title this season. They are already six points behind their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, after just 13 games, and a defeat on Saturday will cause almost irrevocable damage in their quest to retain the La Liga trophy. Real Madrid is enjoying a superb run of form as they are yet to lose a single match this season. The Whites have an astonishing unbeaten record in their last 31 games, and they will look to increase their tally by beating their arch rivals on their own soil.

3 días para #ElClásico… ?? pic.twitter.com/7eGvWi7SHs

— LaLiga (@LaLiga) November 30, 2016

A win for Real will put them nine points ahead of Barcelona, which will take them a step closer to becoming the Spanish champions for the first time in five years.

The home side, Barcelona, will go into this match with two successive draws in La Liga, while their counterparts, Real Madrid, have won four consecutive games.

Last time these two footballing giants met at the Camp Nou, Madrid defeated Barca 2-1, thanks to the late winner from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Team News: Barcelona

After resting many of his key players in the Copa Del Rey match against Hercules, Luis Enrique will field his strongest possible starting eleven against Los Blancos. The good news for Barcelona is there are no new injuries after the Hercules game that could affect this crucial match.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar Jr should make a lethal attacking trio if they play to their usual standard.

In the game against Real Sociedad at Anoeta, the triumvirate looked out of ideas, but it was probably just a bad day for the so-called MSN.

The return of Messi, Neymar, and Suarez to form has the potential to cause havoc for Real Madrid’s defense. So Zinedine Zidane has a tough job to stop what is arguably the best attack in football right now.

On the other hand, the center-back duo of Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano will have to be at their best to resist the waves of attack by Real Madrid’s forwards, marshaled by Cristiano.

The return of skipper Andres Iniesta from nearly two months absence will be a major boost for the Catalans. Barcelona has hugely struggled in recent matches to control midfield without the World Cup winner. So, his inclusion on the team could amplify Barca’s creativity in midfield.

One major concern for Barcelona this season has been the poor form of Sergio Busquets. The presence of Iniesta alongside him could do the 28-year-old a world of good.

Barcelona Predicted Lineup Vs. Real Madrid (4-3-3)

ter Stegen – Roberto, Pique, Mascherano, Alba – Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta – Messi, Suarez, Neymar

Team News: Real Madrid

Real Madrid has been unlucky this season when it comes to injuries to their key players.

Welsh dragon Gareth Bale recently suffered an ankle injury which ruled him out for about three months of action. Midfielder Toni Kroos will also miss the clash against Barcelona due to a broken metatarsal he suffered against Leganes.

New signing Alvaro Morata, who is one of the best performers for Los Blancos, will also be unavailable for selection due to a knock he received during the recent international break.

However, the good news for Zinedine Zidane is that influential midfielder Casemiro is back on the team after several weeks of injury absence. He could be a vital figure in Real Madrid’s midfield to nullify Barca’s intimidating attack.

In the previous Clasico, Casemiro fully nullified Messi’s presence. So, his availability for this game could assist Real massively.

In recent weeks, Real Madrid’s fans were enthused due to the return of their leader, Ronaldo, to his best form. The Portuguese superstar has scored in most of his recent games, and against Barca, he likely hopes to be a messiah for Real.

Both Messi and Ronaldo are nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or, and a good performance in this game will no doubt help to bring glory to the duo. The prediction for this year’s Ballon d’Or winner is provided at the link above.

Real Madrid: Predicted Lineup Vs. Barcelona (4-3-3)
Navas – Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo – Modric, Kovacic, Casemiro – Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema

Lionel Messi Vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: Head-to-Head

Messi vs. Real Madrid

• Messi is the top scorer in El Clasico history, with 21 goals to his name.
• Messi has 13 assists from his 32 games against Real Madrid.
• He has won 15 games in El Clasico. (47 percent)
• Messi has scored 57 percent of his goals at the Bernabeu.
• Leo has not scored during the last five Clasico games.

Ronaldo vs. Barcelona

• Like Messi, Ronaldo has scored more goals away from home – 10 of his 16 Clasico goals were netted at Camp Nou.
• Only Alfredo Di Stefano (18) has more goals against Barcelona for Real Madrid than Cristiano.
• Ronaldo has inferior win record against Barca with only seven wins in 25 appearances. (28 percent)
• The Portuguese star has just one assist in 25 Clasico games, 12 less than his arch rival Messi.

The Ronaldo vs. Messi stats were provided by Goal.

Watch Messi vs. Ronaldo battle in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3jBkDWotmo

Barcelona Vs. Real Madrid: Head-to-Head

Total games: 231
Barcelona wins: 90
Real Madrid wins: 93
Draws: 48

Barcelona Vs.Real Madrid: TV Schedule and Channel

In the U.S., the match will be live on beIN SPORTS en Espanyol, fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., and beIN SPORTS USA. But in U.K., the game will not be shown live due to the early timing of the match. For other regions, the TV schedule can be found at the link here.

Barcelona Vs. Real Madrid: Prediction

Hardest decision ever #MyElClassicoXI #barcamadrid pic.twitter.com/K4Z0s1l5Ww

— James Wyatt (@VibrantKarla) November 30, 2016

Looking at recent performances and the run of form, Real Madrid seems superior to Barcelona. The Los Blancos haven’t lost a single match this season, which shows their might. Even the injuries to key players haven’t affected them in terms of results. Real will look to continue their impressive unbeaten streak at Camp Nou as well.

Barcelona has struggled heavily in their recent matches. Their last two La Liga matches have resulted in a draw. However, it should be kept in mind that the likes of Messi, Neymar, and Suarez could destroy any opponents even if they are not in their best form.

In El Clasico, there is no favorite. And this time, we predict the match will end in a tie.

Final Predicted Score: Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid

What is your prediction for this El Clasico? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Barcelona Vs. Real Madrid: Betting Tips and Odds

1. Barcelona win: 17/20
2. A draw: 14/5
3. Real Madrid win: 3/1
4. Under 2.5 goals: 13/8
5. Over 2.5 goals: 4/9
6. Both teams score: 4/9
7. Both teams fail to score: 13/8

The odds were provided by Paddypower.

Key Stats to consider

• Real Madrid is unbeaten in their last 31 competitive matches.
• Real Madrid has won the recent El Clasico, in which they beat Barca 2-1.
• Barcelona is unbeaten in 29 of their 32 last home matches in La Liga.
• Barca forward Messi hasn’t scored in El Clasico since 2014.

The Barca vs. Real Madrid stats were provided by Soccerway.

[Featured Image by David Ramos/Getty Images]