Real Madrid vs Barcelona predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups ahead of the first Clasico of 2022/23.
| Date | Sunday 16th October 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 16:15 (local time) |
| Stadium | Santiago Bernabeu |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Real Madrid vs Barcelona Preview
The biggest game in world football will be played this weekend as El Clasico takes place at the Santiago Bernabeu. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona are level on points and will be wanting a victory here to edge ahead in the title race.
Real Madrid come into this match after defeating Getafe by a goal to nil away from home in their last domestic outing. Eder Militão headed home from a corner in the third minute to put Los Blancos in front, but outside of two brilliant attempted outside of the foot passes by Vinicius, Carlo Ancelotti’s side failed to create much in the rest of the half.
After the break, the game remained rather uneventful outside of Rodrygo’s offside goal in the 56th minute. Ultimately, Real ended up winning the game without having to reach second gear and Getafe coach Quique Sanchez Flores openly admitted post match that his players aimed to keep the score down and hope luck would be on their side rather than go at Los Blancos’ defence in an attempt to create many chances.
In midweek, Antonio Rudiger scored a last gasp equaliser in Warsaw against Shakhtar Donetsk, a result which allowed Real Madrid to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16. With this draw, Ancelotti’s men can now afford to play weakened starting elevens in their remaining group matches and solely focus on gaining results in LaLiga before the World Cup commences next month.
On Matchday 8, Barcelona hosted Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou. The Catalans looked sharp in the opening thirty minutes and Pedri put Xavi’s side ahead in the 17th minute after an error from Celta defender Unai Nuñez. Key chances would also fall to Ferran Torres and Jordi Alba, both of whom failed to convert.
Towards the end of the first half, Celta began to gain confidence which was maintained in the second half. The Galicians were dominant in the second half creating a range of huge chances, most notably falling to former Sevilla men Oscar Rodriguez and Iago Aspas. Pedri’s goal ended up being enough for Xavi’s side in an unconvincing performance with Aspas himself claiming that Celta deserved “at least” a point in his post match interview.
Barça’s midweek fixture was a six goal thriller against Italian giants Inter Milan which ended 3-3. Despite scoring a few goals, the Blaugrana defence once again disappointed and conceded three themselves and left Barça in an almost impossible position when it comes to qualifying for the Champions League knockout rounds.
Even with such a poor European result, Xavi’s side cannot let their heads drop in a season defining month domestically with matches against Villarreal, Athletic and Valencia all on the horizon as well as this weekend’s trip to the Bernabeu.
Both Real Madrid and Barça had injury issues coming into the Clasico, with Thibaut Courtois and Jules Kounde facing a race against time whilst Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen are set to miss out.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Real Madrid
| INJURED | Ceballos |
| DOUBTFUL | Rudiger, Courtois |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Lunin – Mendy, Alaba, Militao, Carvajal – Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos – Vini, Benzema, Valverde (4-3-3)
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Barcelona
| INJURED | Araujo, Bellerin, Christensen |
| DOUBTFUL | Kounde, Depay |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Ter Stegen – Alonso, Garcia, Kounde, Balde – Pedri, Busquets, Gavi – Raphinha, Lewandowski, Dembele (4-3-3)
Coach: Xavi
Score Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
This fixture is the most watched in the football world for a reason, and the past has shown that regardless of form, it can swing either way. Most recently, Barcelona won 4-0 at the Bernabeu last season when they were over ten points behind Real Madrid in the table.
However, we edge Real Madrid to win here as although Carlo Ancelotti’s side have dropped form after the international break, their level has still remained higher than that of the Blaugrana and the midweek disappointment could hurt Barcelona’s confidence.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
