Clasico predictions, H2H and match preview for this Sunday’s meeting of Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as Los Blancos aim to end a miserable run in the Spanish top flight in the biggest game of all.
DATE/TIME – Sunday 28th October 2018, 16:15 (Spanish Time)
STADIUM – Camp Nou
COMPETITION – La Liga
For the first time in over a decade Barcelona take on Real Madrid in a competitive match that will feature neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Leo Messi. That will give this clasico game a strange feel but there will still be an enormous amount of quality on show and the absence of the two stars of this generation gives others a chance to make a bit of history.
Barcelona are the clear favourites despite that injury to Messi last weekend. They impressed in midweek in the Champions League without their talisman. Luis Suarez really stepped up and took on more responsibility up top while the midfield was as impressive and balanced as it has been all season. Arthur continues to show maturity beyond his years in midfield while it was also arguably Sergio Busquets’ best game of the season so far, all ominous signs for Los Blancos heading into this fixture.
There is very little for Real Madrid to be positive about right now. Julen Lopetegui is strongly suspected to be on the brink of the sack, possibly regardless of the result here. The only question may be the timing with Florentino Perez keen to have a successor in place. Real did end a miserable run of 4 defeats in 5 matches by beating Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League on Tuesday. However it was a performance that was every bit as bad and possibly worse than the 5 that had gone before it.
Right through the team Real have problems, with their defence not looking solid while further up most of their main creative and attacking forces either look unfit or out of form. The clasico at Camp Nou has brought the best out of them in recent years though and in this fixture you can write nothing off.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid Predictions
Score Prediction: 2-1 Barcelona
Real have never previously gone 4 league games at Camp Nou without defeat and that will be their objective this Sunday. However it’s very tough to see that being the case here the way they are playing. The Messi absence is a leveller and there is enough individual quality in the away side for them to be a threat. However Barca are operating much more fluidly as a team unit right now and they should have the edge but without their talisman they are unlikely to run riot.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid H2H
- Last 6 meetings: 2 Barca Wins, 2 Real Madrid Wins, 2 Draws
- The clasicos last season saw Real win the Super Cup 5-1 on aggregate but Barcelona collect 4 points from the league meetings.
- Real Madrid are unbeaten on 3 league trips to Camp Nou. They’ve never gone 4 without defeat here in La Liga.
- 3 of the last 4 clasicos at Camp Nou have seen red cards produced.
- Barcelona have won 12 of the last 20 clasicos in La Liga overall.
One to Watch – Arthur
Don Arthur Melo, el nuevo Xavi. Con el en el campo se juega mucho mejor. También es mucho mejor que Luka Modric pero como no tiene marketing no es reconocido. pic.twitter.com/kkAnhZ1xT5
— Arde Mandriles (@Arde_Mandriles) October 4, 2018
Arthur has been winning rave reviews in midfield but this will be his biggest test yet. His task will be largely to thwart the threat of Luka Modric and it will be fascinating to see how he copes with the occasion and quality of his direct opponents.
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Predicted Line Ups
Barcelona Team:
Ter Stegen – Sergi Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba – Busquets, Arthur, Rakitic – Coutinho, Suarez, Rafinha (4-3-3)
Real Madrid Team:
Courtois – Nacho, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo – Modric, Casemiro, Kroos – Bale, Benzema, Isco (4-3-3)
