By Graham Ruthven
Title decider
El Clásico is at all times certainly one of soccer’s most consequential fixtures. Even by the standard requirements of the rivalry between Barcelona and Actual Madrid, although, Sunday’s assembly has quite a bit using on it.
A Barca win would primarily crown Hansi Flick’s crew champions. A Actual Madrid victory, nonetheless, would electrify the Spanish title race, pulling the defending champions inside one level of prime spot.
With simply 4 video games left of the season, there’s no margin for error. Barcelona have regarded the stronger of the 2 groups lately, however won’t be so recent after taking part in 120 minutes in opposition to Inter Milan within the Champions League on Tuesday night time.
Barcelona edged an exciting Copa del Rey last in opposition to Actual Madrid final month with the Catalans additionally overcoming their rivals within the Supercopa and the league assembly on the Santiago Bernabéu earlier this season.
Actual Madrid will do every part they’ll to get in behind Flick’s excessive line of defense. Regardless of defeat, there have been indicators within the Copa last that Los Blancos have a greater concept of the right way to exploit this house in comparison with earlier within the marketing campaign when Barcelona’s offside lure troubled them a lot.
In a season of blockbuster clashes between Spain’s Huge Two, this match has the potential to be as significant as something witnessed thus far.
Key gamers
On the age of solely 17, Lamine Yamal is arguably one of the best participant on the earth for the time being. Whereas {the teenager} was saved quiet by Inter on Tuesday, he has 18 purpose contributions in LaLiga this season and is able to producing a match-winning second at any time.
The identical might be mentioned of Raphinha who has 25 purpose contributions to his title. Between the pair, Barca have large attackers who like to chop inside and pose a purpose risk in and across the penalty space.
Pedri would be the inventive coronary heart for Barcelona within the centre of the pitch with Dani Olmo and Fermín López vying to function in midfield alongside Frenkie de Jong and Gavi. Barca will look to regulate issues within the center.
Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior will likely be a risk in behind the Barca excessive line with Jude Bellingham one other participant able to find the again of the web from contained in the field. Fede Valverde’s vitality can even be essential.
Thibaut Courtois might be in for a busy afternoon, particularly with a lot of Actual Madrid’s first-choice defence lacking. Actual Madrid may need to play on the sting to get the higher of Barca and preserve their title hopes alive.
Group information
Barcelona have a number of damage considerations that can form their lineup in Saturday’s Clásico.
Certainly, Alejandro Balde is predicted to overlook the assembly with Actual Madrid simply as he did the Champions League defeat to Inter, which means Gerard Martín will probably preserve his place at left again.
Jules Koundé is one other absentee via damage whereas Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal stay sidelined. Robert Lewandowski, nonetheless, might be match sufficient to start out following a interval out.
Actual Madrid are nonetheless extraordinarily skinny on the bottom for defensive choices with Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba additionally more likely to miss Sunday’s match at Montjuïc.
Prediction
Barcelona 2-1 Actual Madrid, persevering with Hansi Flick’s maintain over Ancelotti’s Madrid this season. And to take one other doubtlessly decisive step in direction of the title.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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