By Sean Walsh
Real Madrid face bitter rivals Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.
The third Clasico of the season sees the two giants face off in a third different competition having previously faced La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana in Saudi Arabia – the Blancos won 3-1 in the former, with the Blaugrana prevailing by the same score in the latter.
With Barça seven points clear at the top of the La Liga table, this could be Madrid’s only attempt at Spanish silverware this season (we already know they’re always poised for Champions League triumph).
Here’s everything you need to know before they meet.
Where is Real Madrid vs Barcelona being played?
Position: Madrid, Spain
Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu
Date: Thursday 2 March
Starting time: 8pm GMT / 3pm ET / 12pm PT
Referee: Jose Luis Munuera Montero
ERA: Jose Luis Gonzalez Gonzalez
Real Madrid vs Barcelona H2H results (last five matches)
Real Madrid: 2 wins
Barcelona: 3 wins
Draw: 0
Current form (last five matches)
Real Madrid: WWWWD
Barcelona: WOOL
How to watch Real Madrid v Barcelona on TV and live streaming
Real Madrid team news
Carlo Ancelotti will not be able to call up David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo on Thursday evening due to muscle problems.
Aurelien Tchouameni could start in midfield after recently returning from injury.
Luka Modric was suspended in La Liga after picking up his fifth booking of the season but is eligible to play in the Copa del Rey.
Expected training of Real Madrid against Barcelona
Expected Real Madrid lineup (4-3-3): courteous; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Tchouameni, Kroos, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicio.
Barcelona team news
Xavi has a slightly longer list of key injuries to worry about.
After straining his hamstring, Robert Lewandowski will miss most 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 has scheduled training against Real Madrid
Expected training Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Koundé, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Busquets, Kessie, De Jong; Raphinha, Torri, Gavi.
Score prediction Real Madrid-Barcelona
Although Real Madrid have been disappointing this season, they have still turned up in the biggest matches, perhaps best demonstrated by their win in the first Clasico of the season and last week’s match against Liverpool.
Barcelona were formidable at home, although their weaknesses were largely exposed by Manchester United in the play-off round of the Europa League last 16.
Home advantage should steer this first leg towards Real Madrid, but the draw is unlikely to be done and dusted off before they meet again at the Camp Nou.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona
This article was originally posted on 90min.com as Real Madrid vs Barcelona – Copa del Rey: TV channel, team news, lineups and predictions.
