Sunday will see the 247th edition of El Clasico, an eternal rivalry between LaLiga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona (10:15 a.m. ET; stream LIVE on ESPN+). It's too early to consider individual games in the context of the overall title race. Each side has 30 league games following this weekend. However, it's never too soon for these two teams to strike a blow and bring some joy to a season that has been difficult.
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Real Madrid will be a major threat to Ronald Koeman & Co. who still have to deal with the loss of Lionel Messi. Barcelona wins at home. Alex Kirkland (Real Madrid), Sam Marsden (Barcelona), and Alex Kirkland(Real Madrid) look at the game tactically. They examine their form, key players, and other battles surrounding the pitch.
Team/injury news
GUIDE FOR FORM
Marsden: Barcelona has won back-toback games this season, but it hasn't helped to improve the mood at Camp Nou. The stadium was half full on Wednesday, as Barca beat Dynamo Kiev 1-1 to continue their 3-1 win over Valencia. This was their first point in the Champions League. As the match against Kiev ended, some supporters cheered on the players.
Tensions around the club, which reached their peak during a string of just one win in six games prior to the international break, have eased somewhat following Joan Laporta's decision publicly backing coach Koeman. However, the Catalan club are always one defeat away from another crisis.
How to watch El Clasico live on ESPN+ (U.S.).
Kirkland: Tuesday's 5-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk changed the mood in Real Madrid. Although it was against weak opposition, it was comprehensive and gave Real Madrid a boost of confidence ahead of Sunday's big clash. We had seen some pre-euphoria from big wins, beating Celta Vigo 6-1 and Celta Vigo 5-1. But that quickly evaporated as we lost three straight games without a win before the international break. While the draw with Villarreal was acceptable and the 2-1 home defeat to Sheriff Tiraspol was not, it was alarming to see how the team fell to a flat 2-1 loss at Espanyol.
It has been mixed, with some reasons to be optimistic and others to be pessimistic, depending on which preference you have.
TEAM NEWS: WHO IS FIT? WHO'S HURTING?
Marsden: Ansu Fati has been able to return to fitness over the past weeks, easing Memphis Depay's burden. He returned to the bench in September after a 10 month absence due to a knee injury and scored in Valencia's win last week, his first start since November. He will be available for Madrid when he returns to the bench after his match against Kiev.
Sergio Aguero, a substitute for the previous two games, has been brought on and could make an impact from the bench this weekend. Ronald Araujo and Pedri are likely to miss the game. Pedri is suffering from a thigh injury, and Araujo was injured in his hamstring while playing for Uruguay last Wednesday. Jordi Alba's foot injury on Wednesday has also made it a questionable. Ousmane Dembele and Martin Braithwaite remain out.
Kirkland: Ferland Mendy made his debut since May, and this week was his big return against Shakhtar. After alternating between Nacho and David Alaba, Miguel Gutierrez has been the left-back for Carlo Ancelotti this season. Toni Kroos has three games under his belt after returning from a groin injury. You don't always appreciate him when he is in the team but you miss him when he's not.
Dani Carvajal is the most doubtful right-back. His recent calf injury is just one in a long line of injuries for him. He is also only now back in full training. Isco and Luka are both out for short-term issues. Gareth Bale, Dani Ceballos and Gareth Bale won't return until next month. Eden Hazard is also a doubtful injury, but is he always?
HOW EACH TEAM SHOULD LIE UP
Marsden: If he doesn't decide to return to the 3-5-2 formation which has been criticized for its deviation from club philosophy at times, Koeman will likely pick the same team that beat Valencia 3-1 last Saturday. Sergi Roberto would be at right-back with Sergino dest playing a broad right role in attack alongside Ansu.
The rest of the team is rounded out by Gerard Pique and Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Barca will try to get the ball and play in Madrid’s half. However, they'll need to defend themselves against Vinicius's pace on the break.
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Kirkland: Ancelotti was categorical in this week's game. He stated Monday that "This team must play in a] 4-3-2-3." There is no other way. He explained that the 4-4-2 experiment this season had not convinced him: The players weren't at ease, and there wasn't time to change that at the stage.
The XI picks itself most of the time: Thibaut Courtois in the goal, Alaba and Eder Militao at centre back, Mendy, Nacho at fullback; the classic midfield of Casemiro Kros, Luka Modric, and Luka Modric; and Vinicius Junior, and Karim Benzema, the team's best two players this season. There is still a question about whether Ancelotti will choose Fede Valverde or Rodrygo Goes as his right-hander. Valverde was the conservative option and was there against Shakhtar. Rodrygo impressed, scoring.
Ancelotti said that he had played so well it would be hard to let him go. If the coach believes Barca can be defeated, he will go for the Brazilian.
TACTICAL BATTLE
Marsden: Barca's biggest threat will be from the left-handside. Alba played well against Kiev in midweek and set up the goal. Ansu, who is positioned ahead of Alba, has started to run after almost a year off the sidelines. Memphis, on the other hand, tends to drift to left and he is well-connected with Ansu.
Barca could see weakness in Madrid's right with Carvajal out of action, especially if Ancelotti opts for Rodrygo instead of Valverde which would expose Nacho.
Real Madrid won both of their meetings with Barcelona last season. They won 3-1 at Camp Nou in Oct 2020, and then 2-1 in Madrid, April 2021. What is Sunday's outcome? JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images
Kirkland: The midfield is everything. Madrid wins if Casemiro and Kroos defeat Busquets de Jong, Gavi and de Jong. They will need to defend a fragile Madrid backline. Alaba is an outstanding player, but Militao can always make a mistake under pressure. Benzema as well as Vinicius will have a platform to play at the other end. Madrid's midfield is extremely experienced but they have not yet crossed over into "aging" territory. Modric continues to defy time at 36.
Casemiro enjoys these games -- you can expect him to get into Gavi, hoping to provoke a response from the youngster -- and Kroos is due for a big performance.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marsden: While all eyes have been on Ansu these weeks, Barca needs a strong performance from Memphis, their summer signing. After arriving from Lyon on a free transfer, the Dutch forward began the season strongly but has been inconsistent since. In 11 appearances, he's scored four goals. However, he hasn't scored from open play since Aug. 29. His last two goals were both from the penalty spot. His numbers don't reflect the quality of a Barca forward but his performances haven't been terrible. He is a player who never gives up and can achieve the sublime every day.
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Barca will try to pass the ball to him in third, and from there he will attack Madrid's backline. Early signs indicate that he and Ansu are in good agreement.
Kirkland: Benzema. Although it's true that the Ballon d'Or PR campaign is overwhelming, it's more than just talk. He has a solid case: Benzema is the best player in LaLiga, by a long shot, and is one of the top players in the world. He has scored more league goals than Barca's entire forward team (Memphis Ansu, De Jong and Aguero combined), and is also the most prolific assist provider in LaLiga. He is a leader and the center of Madrid's attack. He is capable of scoring many goals and has more variety than ever before.
A player who used to seem to shy away once more from the spotlight, now seems to enjoy it.
WILD CARD/XFACTOR
Play 1:20 Benzema El Clasico is the greatest match in football, even without Messi Karam Benzema.
Marsden: Dest could provide surprise if Koeman chooses a side similar to the one chosen in the previous two games. Mendy will be given something to think about if he has the pace, tricks, and confidence. Barca needs him to provide balance on the wing for them. Although he missed two opportunities against Kiev, he is more than capable of producing when it matters.
Kirkland: Vinicius. He's not a secret weapon, his transformation this season has made everyone talk -- but he is a wildcard. He doesn't know where he'll go next, and neither do you. The aspect of his game that made him fun in the past was the extremely inconsistent finishing. But, this has been greatly improved.
The brace Tuesday at Shakhtar was an example of this. His second goal placed him in the exact same situation as before. However, his slaloming run through defence was followed by an unerring end, and not a misshit shot. Next is to deliver consistently over the course of a year.
PREDICTION
Marsden: While neither team is as good as five years ago, Madrid has the edge going into this Clasico. Barca has struggled this season and they haven’t beaten Madrid since Koeman took over. Barca 1-2 Madrid.
Kirkland: El Clasico, the big game that seldom disappoints with only two 0-0 draws in this century's history, is El Clasico. This game should have goals at both ends. I will take an entertaining 2-2.
