Real Madrid take on bitter rivals Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.
The third Clasico of the season sees the two giants face in a third different competition having already met in La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana in Saudi Arabia – Los Blancos won 3-1 in the former, with La Blaugrana prevailing by the same scoreline in the latter.
With Barça seven points clear atop La Liga’s table, this could be Real’s only shot at winning Spanish silverware this season (we already know they’re always up for a Champions League triumph).
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of their encounter.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Current Form (Last Five Games)
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Real Madrid team news
Carlo Ancelotti will be unable to call on David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo due to muscle problems on Thursday evening.
Aurelien Tchouameni could start in midfield after recently returning from injury.
Luka Modric has picked up a suspension in La Liga after receiving his fifth booking of the season but is eligible to play in the Copa del Rey.
Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Tchouameni, Kroos, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius.
Barcelona team news
Xavi has a slightly longer list of key injuries to worry about.
After straining his hamstring, Robert Lewandowski will miss much of March. Wingers Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati are also out with muscle problems, while Pedri is also a couple of weeks away from returning.
Barcelona predicted lineup (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Busquets, Kessie, De Jong; Raphinha, Torres, Gavi.
Though Real Madrid have been underwhelming this season, they have still turned up in the biggest of games, perhaps best demonstrated by their victory in the first Clasico of the campaign and last week’s romping at Liverpool.
Barcelona have been formidable domestically, though their weaknesses were exposed plenty by Manchester United over the course of their Europa League knockout round play-off.
Home advantage should tilt this first leg towards Real Madrid, but it’s unlikely the tie will be done and dusted by the time they reconvene at Camp Nou.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona
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