Match Previews

LaLiga Round 10

FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Wed 18 December 2019 19:00

Referee

Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez

Weather at KO

Clear 13^oC | Precip: 0% (0 mm) | Wind 1.1 m/s

Travel Info

1 hour plane

Distance

505 KM (Distance Matrix)

FC Barcelona

Last updated: Thu 19 December 2019 09:27

In Brief

Just drew at the weekend. But they remain so strong at home. Missing the injured Arthur and Ousmane Dembele. 

Looking Back

Barcelona's good run of form was halted by Real Sociedad on Saturday, as they could only draw 2-2 in that away fixture. 

Their home form remains great, though. They have won every home LaLiga match they've played this season. 

Looking Ahead

This is the rescheduled match that was due to be played in October, but cancelled because of political tension. 

Starting midfielder Arthur Melo is out injured. Can be replaced by Ivan Rakitic, who is experienced and who was a starter last season.

Backup forward Ousmane Dembele is out injured. 

Starting full-backs Nelson Semedo and Jordi Alba both returned from injury at the weekend. They didn't look 100 percent, but should be closer to match sharpness now. 

Points of Interest

Barcelona will have had one extra day of rest ahead of this match as they were last in action on Saturday and Real Madrid were in action on Sunday. 

Manager Comments

Coach Ernesto Valverde has admitted that he thinks it is a small advantage for Barcelona to have had one extra day to prepare. 

Real Madrid

Last updated: Thu 19 December 2019 09:27

In Brief

Just got a last-minute morale-boosting equaliser in the weekend's game away at Valencia. Missing the injured Lucaz Vazquez, Marco Asensio, Marcelo, James Rodriguez and Eden Hazard. 

Looking Back

Had a tough trip to Valencia at the weekend and drew 1-1 with an equaliser in the final seconds. 

That makes it 11 matches in a row without defeat for Real Madrid. 

Looking Ahead

Starting left-back Marcelo is out injured. Can be replaced by Ferland Mendy, who is back from suspension. 

Starting left forward Eden Hazard is out injured. Rodrygo, Vinicius and Isco are options to come in. Isco could require a slight change in system.

Backup midfielder James Rodriguez is out injured.

Backup forwards Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez are out injured.

Points of Interest

Barcelona will have had one extra day of rest ahead of this match as they were last in action on Saturday and Real Madrid were in action on Sunday. 

Manager Comments

Asked if he'd man-mark Messi, Zidane wouldn't say whether he would or wouldn't. 

Suspended

Unavailable

Doubtful (chance of availability)

Rested

Suspended

Unavailable

Doubtful (chance of availability)

Rested

Probable Starting 11

4-3-3

Player	Rat.	Pos.	No.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen			1
Nelson Semedo			2
Gerard Pique			3
Clement Lenglet			15
Jordi Alba			18
Ivan Rakitic			4
Sergi Busquets			5
Frenkie de Jong			21
Lionel Messi			10
Luis Suarez			9
Antoine Griezmann			17

4-3-3

Player	Rat.	Pos.	No.
Thibaut Courtois			13
Daniel Carvajal			2
Raphael Varane			5
Sergio Ramos			4
Ferland Mendy			23
Federico Valverde			15
Casemiro			14
Toni Kroos			8
Gareth Bale			11
Karim Benzema			9
Isco			22

Probable Bench

Player	Rat.	Pos.	No.
Neto Murara			13
Samuel Umtiti			23
Carles Alena			19
Sergi Roberto			20
Arturo Vidal			22
Carles Perez			27
Ansu Fati			31

Player	Rat.	Pos.	No.
Alphonse Areola			1
Diego Altube			26
Nacho Fernandez			6
Eder Militao			3
Luka Modric			10
Luka Jovic			18
Vinicius Junior			25
Rodrygo			27

Probable Starting 11

4-3-3 Previous Line Ups

Player	Rat.	Pos.	No.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen			1
Nelson Semedo			2
Gerard Pique			3
Clement Lenglet			15
Jordi Alba			18
Ivan Rakitic			4
Sergi Busquets			5
Frenkie de Jong			21
Lionel Messi			10
Luis Suarez			9
Antoine Griezmann			17

Probable Bench

Player	Rat.	Pos.	No.
Neto Murara			13
Samuel Umtiti			23
Carles Alena			19
Sergi Roberto			20
Arturo Vidal			22
Carles Perez			27
Ansu Fati			31

Real Madrid

Last updated: Thu 19 December 2019 09:27

In Brief

Just got a last-minute morale-boosting equaliser in the weekend's game away at Valencia. Missing the injured Lucaz Vazquez, Marco Asensio, Marcelo, James Rodriguez and Eden Hazard. 

Looking Back

Had a tough trip to Valencia at the weekend and drew 1-1 with an equaliser in the final seconds. 

That makes it 11 matches in a row without defeat for Real Madrid. 

Looking Ahead

Starting left-back Marcelo is out injured. Can be replaced by Ferland Mendy, who is back from suspension. 

Starting left forward Eden Hazard is out injured. Rodrygo, Vinicius and Isco are options to come in. Isco could require a slight change in system.

Backup midfielder James Rodriguez is out injured.

Backup forwards Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez are out injured.

Points of Interest

Barcelona will have had one extra day of rest ahead of this match as they were last in action on Saturday and Real Madrid were in action on Sunday. 

Manager Comments

Asked if he'd man-mark Messi, Zidane wouldn't say whether he would or wouldn't. 

Suspended

Unavailable

Doubtful (chance of availability)

Rested

Probable Starting 11

4-3-3

Player	Rat.	Pos.	No.
Thibaut Courtois			13
Daniel Carvajal			2
Raphael Varane			5
Sergio Ramos			4
Ferland Mendy			23
Federico Valverde			15
Casemiro			14
Toni Kroos			8
Gareth Bale			11
Karim Benzema			9
Isco			22

Probable Bench

Player	Rat.	Pos.	No.
Alphonse Areola			1
Diego Altube			26
Nacho Fernandez			6
Eder Militao			3
Luka Modric			10
Luka Jovic			18
Vinicius Junior			25
Rodrygo			27

Key

Key players

Regular players

Support players

75% - Chance of availability

Artificial Pitch

Universal Player Grid

Squad Confirmed

Played in Cup fixture

New Information

Team Strength*

Excellent

Good

Satisfactory

Just Adequate

Poor

*Based on Available Players

Game	Score
Round 15
Celta Vigo - Real Valladolid	0 - 0
Round 17
Alaves - Leganes	1 - 1
Round 10
FC Barcelona - Real Madrid	0 - 0
Round 26
Real Madrid - FC Barcelona	2 - 0