Real Madrid vs Barcelona predictions, preview and confirmed line-ups
Real Madrid and Barcelona face off in Europe’s most famous fixture this weekend.
El Clasico sees two of world football’s biggest superpowers go head to head, and the stakes are customarily high going into this one.
Zinedine Zidane’s side can leapfrog Barcelona into top spot in La Liga with a win, while the visitors will be hoping to open some breathing room between themselves and their fiercest rivals.
Read on for our preview, predictions, team news, possible XIs and more.
When is Real Madrid vs Barcelona and where can I watch live?
Competition: La Liga
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Date: Sunday, 1 March 2020
Kick-off: 8:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): LaLigaTV
Live stream options: Bet365* are streaming this match live for account holders. Those without a Bet365 account already who are interested in streaming Real Madrid vs Barcelona live can take advantage of this service by following the simple steps below.
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READ MORE: El Clasico: Where to watch Real Madrid vs Barcelona and what to expect
Last five meetings: Real Madrid vs Barcelona
18 Dec 2019: Barcelona 0-0 Real Madrid (La Liga)
02 Mar 2019: Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona (La Liga)
28 Oct 2018: Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid (La Liga)
06 May 2018: Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid (La Liga)
23 Dec 2017: Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona (La Liga)
Aggregate Score: Real Madrid (DLLDL) 3-11 Barcelona (DWWDW)
Ones to watch
Real Madrid: Karim Benzema
After scoring 13 goals in the opening 16 games of the La Liga campaign, Benzema has lost his confidence in front of goal in recent weeks.
Indeed, the Frenchman has found the net just once in his last nine league outings, a run of form that hindered his side’s push to win the title.
With that in mind, Sunday’s Clasico is just as important for Benzema individually as it is for Madrid collectively – because the two go hand in hand.
Key stat: Benzema has scored nine goals and provided eight assists in 31 previous appearances against Barcelona.
Barcelona: Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi has already taken part in a staggering 42 El Clasicos, just one short of the record holder, Sergio Ramos — who is also likely to add to his 43-game haul.
Nobody has terrorised Los Blancos more during that time than the Argentine wizard, with Messi proving an almost constant thorn in the side of Real Madrid with his goalscoring and creative brilliance.
With bragging rights and top spot in La Liga at stake, you get the feeling Messi will be the star of the show here once again.
Key stat: No player has scored more El Clasico goals across all competitions than Messi (26).
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Team news
Real Madrid
Confirmed XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Valverde, Kroos; Isco, Vinicius, Benzema.
✅📋 Our #ElClásico starting XI!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/N7HSSuvF7t
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 1, 2020
Barcelona
Confirmed XI: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, De Jong, Arthur; Griezmann, Vidal, Messi.
Our starting 1️⃣1️⃣ for #ElClásico!
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 1, 2020
Squawka prediction
With Real Madrid struggling for goals at present, Barcelona have a real chance to snatch all three points if they can ensure Benzema does not rediscover his scoring touch. The quality of Messi should be too much for the hosts – but of course, anything can happen in a derby.
Scoreline prediction: Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona
