Real Madrid vs Barcelona Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Real Madrid vs Barcelona on and what time does it start? Real Madrid vs Barcelona will take place on Sunday 21st April, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Real Madrid vs Barcelona? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Real Madrid vs Barcelona on in the UK? Real Madrid vs Barcelona will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Real Madrid vs Barcelona in the UK? Real Madrid vs Barcelona can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
REAL MADRID
It has been a genuinely astonishing season so far from Real Madrid. Aiming to win both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in the next month and a half or so, Los Blancos have played 45 matches across all competitions so far this season and they have lost just twice with both of those defeats coming at the Metropolitano against city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Madrid welcome their arch-rivals to the capital city this weekend having dumped defending champions Manchester City out of the UEFA Champions League in Manchester the other day. After defending impressively for 120 minutes, the 14-time European champions then, as they do, held their nerve to knock the Cityzens out on penalties at the Etihad Stadium.
BARCELONA
In contrast to Madrid’s inevitability, Barcelona blew a two-goal lead against Paris Saint-Germain in their quarter-final in midweek. Raphinha had put the Catalans ahead on the night and therefore 4-2 up on aggregate but Ronald Araujo’s red card was followed by PSG running amok in the end winning 4-1 in the Olympic Stadium in Catalonia.
Ever since Xavi announced his departure at the end of the season following a 5-3 defeat at home to then struggling Villarreal in late January, Barcelona had gone unbeaten in 11 matches across all competitions but their UEFA Champions League dream is now over and La Liga will more or less follow that way if they lose this one at the Bernabeu.
THE TEAM NEWS
REAL MADRID
After the midweek win in Manchester, Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior picked up minor injuries to join Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba on the sidelines.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-2-1-2): Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Tchouameni; Valverde, Camavinga; Modric; Bellingham, Rodrygo
UNAVAILABLE: Vinicius Junior (Injured), Carvajal (Injured), Courtois (Injured), Alaba (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BARCELONA
There are two injury concerns for Xavi to still be contending with ahead of this weekend’s Clasico as young duo Alex Balde and Gavi remain unavailable.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Gundogan, Roberto, Lopez; Yamal, Lewandowski, Joao Felix
UNAVAILABLE: Balde (Injured), Gavi (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Barcelona’s aforementioned recent improvement in form, which has also seen performances gradually get better, has meant the gap has closed at the top-of-the-table. If Barca do go to the Bernabeu and win then they will be five points behind with six games to go but a Madrid victory stretches their lead to 11 points and makes the title likely to be wrapped up in early May. Madrid just simply don’t lose and Barca, shaken from their midweek shellacking, may not be the toughest of opposition.
TIP: REAL MADRID TO WIN
