FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Competition: Spanish Primera Division
Match date: Sunday 22 March 2015
Kick Off Time: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
Competition: Spanish Primera Division
Match date: Sunday 22 March 2015
Kick Off Time: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona have actually won the other 16 of the last 17 matches they have
played in all competitions, in a run stretching right back to January.
They have already booked a place in the final of the Copa del Rey and on
Wednesday moved in the UCL quarterfinals after victory
over Man City.
Barcelona should have a near fully-fit squad with the only injury doubts
being over defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets. In the absence of
Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano will continue in defensive midfield,
with Jeremy Mathieu pushed into centre-back as a result. Jordi Alba and
Dani Alves return from suspension while Rakitic should retain his spot
in midfield.
After drawing at home to Villarreal and losing away to Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid only progressed in the UCL due to their first-leg performance in Germany as they were beaten 4-3 by Schalke in the second leg at the Bernabeu. Since their 22 match win streak, there have been five defeats in their 16 matches, including elimination from the Copa del Rey.
James Rodriguez is the only real injury concern for the visitors. Luka Modric will start in central midfield, alongside both Toni Kroos and Isco, despite Sami Khedira is fully recovered. Iker Casillas and Toni Kroos got a rest in last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Levante and will be fresh for this weekend’s crunch tie.
The Catalans have been simply irresistible at home this season, winning eighteen of their twenty matches at Camp Nou. As for the direct matches, Both sides have scored in each of the 16 encounters played since the beginning of the 2011/12 season and all but one of these matches has contained three or more goals. In the reverse fixture Real Madrid recorded a 3-1 win over the Catalans at the Bernabeu in October.
After drawing at home to Villarreal and losing away to Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid only progressed in the UCL due to their first-leg performance in Germany as they were beaten 4-3 by Schalke in the second leg at the Bernabeu. Since their 22 match win streak, there have been five defeats in their 16 matches, including elimination from the Copa del Rey.
James Rodriguez is the only real injury concern for the visitors. Luka Modric will start in central midfield, alongside both Toni Kroos and Isco, despite Sami Khedira is fully recovered. Iker Casillas and Toni Kroos got a rest in last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Levante and will be fresh for this weekend’s crunch tie.
The Catalans have been simply irresistible at home this season, winning eighteen of their twenty matches at Camp Nou. As for the direct matches, Both sides have scored in each of the 16 encounters played since the beginning of the 2011/12 season and all but one of these matches has contained three or more goals. In the reverse fixture Real Madrid recorded a 3-1 win over the Catalans at the Bernabeu in October.
Probable lineups:
FC Barcelona: Bravo – Adriano, Pique, Mathieu, Jordi Alba – Mascherano, Iniesta, Rakitic – Messi, Suarez, Neymar.
Real Madrid: Casillas – Carvajal, Pepe, S. Ramos, Marcelo – Modric, T. Kroos – Bale, Isco, C. Ronaldo – Benzema.
FC Barcelona last 5 matches:
28/02/15 Granada 1 – 3 Barcelona04/03/15 Villarreal 1 – 3 Barcelona
08/03/15 Barcelona 6 – 1 Rayo Vallecano
14/03/15 Eibar 0 – 2 Barcelona
18/03/15 Barcelona 1 – 0 Manchester City
Real Madrid last 5 matches:
22/02/15 Elche 0 – 2 Real Madrid
01/03/15 Real Madrid 1 – 1 Villarreal
07/03/15 Athletic Club 1 – 0 Real Madrid
10/03/15 Real Madrid 3 – 4 Schalke 04
15/03/15 Real Madrid 2 – 0 Levante
01/03/15 Real Madrid 1 – 1 Villarreal
07/03/15 Athletic Club 1 – 0 Real Madrid
10/03/15 Real Madrid 3 – 4 Schalke 04
15/03/15 Real Madrid 2 – 0 Levante
