FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid : El Clasico Preview

Real Madrid and Barcelona face each other with both sides eyeing advantage in the top of the table.

FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid : El Clasico Preview

Real Madrid are trailing Barcelona by a point in the league table. A win here will mean Real Madrid will leapfrog Catalan giants to the top with 2 points advantage. Barcelona have managed 65 points from 27 games with 78 goals scored and just 16 conceded. Real Madrid have scored 77 goals and have goal difference of 53 with 64 points to their name.

In the last six meetings between the sides, Real Madrid have won four games while Barcelona have won just two games in the run. The most recent match between the sides was played on October as a part of league fixture and Real Madrid win the match 3-1 in Santiago Bernabau. Neymar’s 4th minute goal was leveled by Cristiano on the 35th minute with a penalty. Pepe and Karim Benzema scored in the second half to ensure the three points for Champions League holders.

Barcelona defeated Manchester City by 1-0 in Wednesday’s quartefinal tie and are into the game in an excellent form. Barca defeated Eibar by 2-0 in the league with lots of their first team player rested. Real Madrid defeated Levante by 2-0 in last league outing as Gareth Bale scored a brace to silence the critics and the fans.

Thomas Vermaelen is yet to make a debut for FC Barcelona despite signing from Arsenal in the summer. Sergio Busquets is also out injured and will not be included in the matchday squad. Jordi Alba and Dani Alves both missed previous league encounter due to suspension but started in the win against Manchester City, so Luis Enrique will continue with the experienced pair in the wing back. Jeremy Mathieu will start as a center half with Javier Mascherano replacing injured Busquets in the defensive midfield.

Real Madrid do not have any fresh injury concerns but are still without Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez. Carlo Ancelotti will make a last ditch decision on selection of left back as both Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao are vying for the spot. Luka Modric has successfully recovered from injury and he will partner with Toni Kroos and Isco in central midfield. Gareth Bale scored a brace in recent win against Levante and he will be hoping to continue on the same rich form into this match as Cristiano Ronaldo keeps searching for his form in 2015.

Barcelona have lost just one of the last 18 matches and will be hoping to avoid any negative result if they want to confirm the league title. Real Madrid are aiming to come back into the form they lost by defeating their arch rivals and title challengers.