MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 02:52:30| >> :60:2859:2859:
[monks data]
Attendance: 93,265
Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 10
Oct 28, 2018 at 3.15pm UK
 
Real Madrid logo

5-1

Coutinho (11'), Suarez (30' pen., 75', 83'), Vidal (87')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Marcelo (50')

How Barcelona could line up against Real Madrid

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up in Sunday's El Clasico at home to Real Madrid.

Barcelona will be looking to move seven points clear of Real Madrid in La Liga when the two teams meet in El Clasico at Camp Nou on Sunday afternoon.

Barcelona have dropped points in four of their nine league fixtures this season, but currently top the division, four points ahead of seventh-placed Real Madrid.

The corresponding match last season finished in a 2-2 draw, but Barcelona have only lost one of the last seven La Liga meetings between the two teams.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how the home side could line up against their bitter rivals at Camp Nou.


POSS BARXI

Out: Thomas Vermaelen (hamstring), Lionel Messi (fractured arm), Samuel Umtiti (knee)

The fact that Lionel Messi will miss out for Barcelona with a fractured arm brings up an interesting selection dilemma for head coach Ernesto Valverde.

Luis Suarez will, of course, lead the home side's attack, but it remains to be seen what happens around the centre-forward. Fellow South American Philippe Coutinho should start in a forward area, while Ousmane Dembele will be the player hoping to most profit from Messi's absence.

Rafinha made a strong case to be selected with a goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday night, however, and the Brazilian could find himself in the final third with Suarez and Coutinho.

A more conservative approach, however, would be to introduce another midfielder, with Arturo Vidal an experienced option, although that might be seen as too disruptive of Valverde's preferred formation, and there is no question that Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Arthur will all start.

It is less complicated in a defensive position, with injuries to Thomas Vermaelen and Samuel Umtiti helping Clement Lenglet keep his spot at centre-back alongside Gerard Pique, while Sergi Roberto should again edge out Nelson Semedo to start on the right of the back four.

> Click here to see how Real Madrid could line up for this fixture

ID:339696: cacheID:339696:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4959:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho celebrates with Lionel Messi after scoring the opening goal in his side's Champions League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on October 3, 2018
Read Next:
How Barcelona could line up against Sevilla
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!