El Clasico preview: could La Liga title be decided in December?

Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga 2016/17 Date: 3 December, 2016 Time: 15:15 BST Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona Barcelona host Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the 2016-17 La Liga season on Saturday. The Catalan giants, second in the league with 27 points, are trailing Madrid by 6 points after Match day 13, and […]
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sambafoot_admin
2016-12-03 12:45:00

Barcelona vs Real Madrid
La Liga 2016/17
Date: 3 December, 2016
Time: 15:15 BST Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona

Barcelona host Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the 2016-17 La Liga season on Saturday. The Catalan giants, second in the league with 27 points, are trailing Madrid by 6 points after Match day 13, and further slip-ups could cost them the title. The Blaugrana have lost once, and drawn twice this season at Camp Nou, but are still La Liga betting favourites at 1.90 to win this tie. Luis Enrique’s side are heading into the match on the back of two disappointing league results, with Barcelona only managing draws against Malaga and Real Sociedad. Injuries to key players have been a major problem, but what has really hurt them is the form of Neymar. Although he did set up Lionel Messi for an equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Sociedad, the Barcelona forward has not scored in his last 7 games. Neymar escaped a major accident last week, after he had crashed his Ferrari. He was on his way to the club’s training ground before the game against Sociedad when the incident happened.

Rafinha, Neymar’s national and club teammate, could feature against Real Madrid, but he is most likely to come on as a sub, if required. Real Madrid, on the other hand, are flying high in the league, having won their last 6 matches, and remaining the only side in La Liga that are yet to be defeated. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 7 goals in his last 4 games, and Madrid will be expecting their talisman to be on top of his game when they meet Barcelona on Saturday. The Portuguese forward looks geared up for Saturday’s game after he posted a message for his fans on Snapchat: “Five days to El Clasico it’s going to go fast. So am I.” However, Madrid will be without Gareth Bale for this crunch game. The Welsh forward twisted his ankle against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League, and he is facing a lengthy period on the sidelines.

Casemiro, the Brazilian defensive midfielder, returned to training last week, and might play some part against Barcelona. He was included in the match day squad against Sporting Gijon, but remained an unused sub. Mateo Kovačić has done a really good job in holding the midfield during Casemiro’s absence, and the Croatian is likely to retain his spot. Brazilian right-back, Danilo, started in Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon, but he is likely to lose his place to Dani Carvajal. Marcelo, Madrid’s first choice left-back, is another Brazilian to look forward to during the match. He has been in superb form this season, and his battle against Lionel Messi is certainly going to be a key factor in deciding the outcome of the match.

Barcelona possible starting XI: Ter Stegen, Digne, Mascherano, Pique, Roberto, Gomes, Busquests, Rakitic, Neymar, Suarez, Messi.

Real Madrid possible starting XI: Navas, Nacho, Varane, Ramos, Carvajal, Kovacic, Modric, Ronaldo, Vazquez, Isco, Benzema. Prediction: Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid