Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Competition: Spanish Primera Division, Matchday 9
Match date: 25 October 2014
Kick Off Time: 17:00 BST
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
Competition: Spanish Primera Division, Matchday 9
Match date: 25 October 2014
Kick Off Time: 17:00 BST
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
Real Madrid
appear unstoppable at the moment, ripping through their opposition in
their last 8 matches in all competitions, claiming multiple-goal
victories on 7 of those occasions. During this 8-game span, Los Blancos
have outscored their opponents with 35 scored and just 5 conceded. 16 of
those 35 goals have come from fully-fit superstar Cristiano Ronaldo,
who was at it again over the midweek in their trip to Liverpool, as the
Portuguese hit-man scored the go-ahead goal and his first ever at
Anfield in a comfortable 3:0 victory. Now manager Carlo Ancelotti and
his seasoned troops will defend their home fortress against their
arch-nemesis, FC Barcelona. The hosts were conquered last season by the
Catalans at the Santiago Bernabeu, which was just 1 of 3 home defeats in Spanish Primera Division action in their last 54 fixtures, and Los Blancos will be eager
exact their revenge upon their hated rivals. However, the imminent
return of Luis Suarez casts doubt over the host’s chances, although they
should at the least avoid defeat here on Saturday.
FC Barcelona team have also torn through their
opponents in the early going of the season, having picked up maximum
points in 7 of their 8 league matches. This form has propelled them into
a familiar spot atop the Spanish Primera Division table, and they have a
great opportunity to extend their 4-point lead on Real Madrid even
further when they travel to the nation’s capital. Their last trip to the
Santiago Bernabeu ended in victory for the visitors, as pint-sized
magician Messi bagged a hat-trick and provided an assist in a
thrilling 4:3 encounter. The Argentine is back to his old bag of tricks
this season as well and he will be looked to as the leader of their new
tripod attack force that includes himself, Neymar, and Luis Suarez. The
Brazilian is in scintillating form and can’t seem to stop scoring at the
moment, while the controversial Uruguayan is set to make his return to
action after seeing his lengthy suspension come to an end. Whether he
starts or not remains to be seen, but barring a FC Barcelona blowout, he
should at least be making his competitive debut for his new club. The
embattled striker’s return only serves to add further intrigue to what
has become arguably the biggest rivalry in all of sports – the El
Clasico.
Real Madrid last 5 matches:
27/09/14 Villarreal 0 – 2 Real Madrid01/10/14 Ludogorets 1 – 2 Real Madrid
05/10/14 Real Madrid 5 – 0 Athletic Club
18/10/14 Levante 0 – 5 Real Madrid
22/10/14 Liverpool 0 – 3 Real Madrid
Barcelona last 5 matches:
27/09/14 Barcelona 6 – 0 Granada30/09/14 PSG 3 – 2 Barcelona
04/10/14 Rayo Vallecano 0 – 2 Barcelona
18/10/14 Barcelona 3 – 0 Eibar
21/10/14 Barcelona 3 – 1 Ajax
