LA LIGA PREVIEW: BARCELONA VS REAL MADRID

It's one of the most crucial clasicos in recent history. Only one acceptable outcome: WIN!.

One of the greatest rivalries in the history of the game comes to the fore tonight: Barcelona host Real Madrid at the Camp Nou as they battle it out for 3 crucial points. The hosts need it to go 12 points clear at the top and further cement their hopes of winning La Liga, the visitors need it to stay alive, only just, in the title race. Who wins and who loses?

Barcelona remain quite unstoppable in the league, coming into this clash on the back of another 1-0 victory, this time at San Mames, one of the toughest grounds in La Liga. They've endured two defeats and two draws so far this season, conceding only 8 goals, one of them at home. They should have all the confidence they need to win this tie.

Real Madrid however, are way off the pace in La Liga, contrary to their form in the Champions League, where they just booked a spot in the quarter finals a few days ago over Liverpool with a 6-2 aggregate win. They know that it'll take a monumental collapse from the rivals to give them any chance in the La Liga title race, and they have the opportunity to trouble them tonight.

INTERESTING STATS

- This is Xavi's first El Clasico in the Camp Nou as manager. He has overseen six clasicos so far, three in the Bernabeu, the other three on neutral grounds, winning four of them.

- His only losses are the Supercup semifinal last year in Saudi Arabia (3-2) and the reverse league fixture in October, where Barcelona lost 3-1 at the Bernabeu.

-Barcelona have the best defence in the league, having conceded just eight goals so far.

-Real Madrid have the best attack in the league, they have found the back of the net on 50 occasions so far.

-Barcelona have won 22 out of their last 48 fixtures against Real Madrid.

-Robert Lewandowski has 15 goals in his 20 league starts for the Catalan giants.

-Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema has 11 goals in his 15 league starts for Real Madrid.

-Los Blancos have 101 wins in official Clasico games, compared to 99 for the Blaugrana.

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona 

Ousmane Dembele and Pedri remain crucial absentees for Xavi. The Catalans have however, found ways to win games without their main men and can do so here as well.

Marc Andre TerStegen will resume his duties at the goal post, looking to keep yet another clean sheet. The meanest defense in La Liga remains intact, as Ronald Araujo is welcomed back from suspension. Xavi could use 3 or 4 midfielders in this game, which means Kessie may join Gavi, DeJong and Busquets. Raphinha, who has been getting the goals recently, will continue alongside Robert Lewandowski, who is desperately in need of a goal right now. Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres remain options in attack.

Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti will be without the services of David Alaba, who is sidelined with a hamstring strain. Everyone else is available. Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema have been deemed got enough to return to the squad.

Belgian shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. Nacho and Dani Carvajal will be the full-backs, while Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger will pair up in the heart of the defence.

Tchouameni will slot in as the holding midfielder, while Camavinga will keep his place in the centre of the park, alongside Luka Modric. Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior will form the attack. 

Where and when are Barcelona vs Real Madrid playing?

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Stadium: Camp Nou

Date: Sunday 19 March

Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT

Referee: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea

VAR: TBC

It's the El Clasico, and as such, there are no favorites. Both teams desperately want the win and will go all out to get it. The best attack in the league squaring up against the best defense should make for a riveting clash.

LA LIGA PREVIEW: ATHLETIC CLUB VS BARCELONA

The Catalans travel to Basque country in search for another 3 points.

Barça enjoyed a rare week off in-between games after their victory over Valencia, but are back in action tonight, looking to recover their nine point lead in La Liga after Los Blancos saw off Espanyol at the Bernabeu.

Suffering only two defeats in the league after 24 games, Xavi's men have been imperious in La Liga and are currently favorites to win the title this season. Every game is a final now, and it starts tonight at San Mames.

The home side had a great start to the season but have trailed off recently, winning just one of their last five games in all competitions which have seen them drop to ninth position.

They remain four points behind sixth placed Villarreal however, so a finish in a European spot isn't far from reality. Can they get anything out of this fixture though?

INTERESTING STATS

- Barcelona have won 29 games out of the 45 encounters between the two teams. They have only lost seven times.

- Athletic Bilbao midfielder Oihan Sancet has scored eight goals in 22 league starts this season.

- Striker Gorka Guruzeta who has started just seven league games this season has five goals to his name.

- Robert Lewandowski is leading the race for the La Liga golden boot and has 20 goal contributions in 19 league starts for Barcelona this season.

- Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele has ten goal contributions in 14 league starts in the ongoing season.

- In the last four years, Athletic have knocked Barça out of the Copa del Rey twice and also the Spanish Super Cup once. But despite those slips in knockout competitions, the Catalans have remained solid in the league, losing just one of their last 18 meetings with the Basques.

Last five meetings 

23/10/22 (LIGA) Barça 4-0 Athletic

27/02/22 (LIGA) Barça 4-0 Athletic

20/01/22 (COPA DEL REY) Athletic 3-2 Barça

21/08/21 (LIGA): Athletic 1-1 Barça

17/04/21 (COPA DEL REY): Athletic 0-4 Barça

TEAM NEWS

Athletic Club

Oihan Sancet, the Basque outfit's top scorer this season, will miss the game after being sent off in Vallecas last week. Unai Simon, Iñigo Lekue, Jon Morcillo and Ander Herrera are all sidelined due to injuries. Barça target Iñigo Martinez has recovered from his foot injury and will want to give a big performance to hopefully convince Alemany and co.

Julen Agirrezabala will continue to deputize in goal. The back four will likely comprise of Oscar De Marcos,  Inigo Martinez, Yeray Alvarez, Yuri Berchiche. 

Mikel Vesga and Dani Garcia will look to start as the double pivots in front of the defence. Nico Williams, Iker Muniain, and Alex Berenguer will team up in the midfield behind their star striker Inaki Williams. The Williams brothers will be key to Athletic Club's chances of getting anything from this game.

Barcelona 

Pedri and Ousmane Dembele remain unavailable for selection, but are edging closer to a return. Ronald Araujo was sent off last weekend and won't be available until the Clasico. Robert Lewandowski has recovered from his hamstring problems and is in the squad again. Gavi is available after returning from suspension.

The rest of the team picks itself. TerStegen, Balde, Christensen, Koundé will retain their spots. After a brazen performance at the Bernabeu, Marcos Alonso might get the nod over Eric Garcia to complete the backline.

Sergio Busquets, Frank Kessie, Raphinha and Ferran Torres are all at risk of suspension and will have to tread carefully in San Mames, which might see Sergi Roberto get a nod in Midfield. Ansu Fati was unfortunately not given enough time to get into rhythm against Valencia but will likely get the nod over Torres in attack.

Where are Athletic Club vs Barcelona playing?

Location: Bilbao, Spain

Stadium: San Mames

Date: Sunday 12 March

Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT

Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano

San Mames has become a sort of fortress for the home side, but when the big boys come to town, anything can happen, and it doesn't get bigger than Barcelona right now. 

After seeing Los Blancos cut the gap to Six points, Xavi's men will be poised to grab all three points ahead of the potential title decider next weekend.