Real Madrid will face FC Barcelona on Sunday night at the Santiago Bernabeu with the balance of La Liga on the line. Here are three bold predictions for the match.
Los Blancos are in need of a bounce back victory after faltering at home against Manchester City in the Champions League, and there’s no better way to get back on track than to defeat FC Barcelona.
Real Madrid fell to second place in La Liga last weekend. Whereas Barca defeated Eibar behind four goals from Lionel Messi, Los Blancos squandered all their chances in a 1-0 loss to Levante. But if they can defeat La Blaugrana on Sunday night in front of their home fans, they’ll be in a great position to win La Liga and make up for last season’s disappointing finish.
Here are three bold predictions for Los Merengues on Matchday 26 when they take on their bitter rivals in the second Clasico of the 2019-2020 season.
1. Karim Benzema scores again
Real Madrid superstar striker Karim Benzema has scored just once and assisted just once in his last nine La Liga games, and he didn’t look much better on Wednesday in the Champions League against Manchester City as either a pure striker or creator.
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Benzema needs to get back on track in order for Real to rack up more trophies beyond the Spanish Supercup, and the La Liga title is still in their grasps.
A big-game player, Benzema has scored against Sevilla and Atletico Madrid this season in 1-0 wins, and he could very well have the difference-making goal in a similar kind of game against FC Barcelona.
Recall that both teams tied in December at Camp Nou, but perhaps the home atmosphere can help get that little bit extra out of Benz.
2. Vinicius Junior is the Man of the Match
Vinicius Junior and Isco are Real Madrid’s two most important players heading into March, because they are the most in-form attackers.
Because of this, strong performances from Vini and Isco can help get the most out of the slumping Benzema and even the woefully out-of-form Gareth Bale.
Between the two of them, look for Vinicius to be the main catalyst against FC Barcelona, because his explosiveness on the ball and work rate off of it will be crucial. Vini can help Ferland Mendy deal with Barcelona’s attacks, and Vini’s pressing can create chances for Real. Look no further than the goal he set up for Isco in the Champions League by forcing Kyle Walker into multiple mistakes on the same passage of play.
Vinicius will dazzle Barcelona’s defense, as they don’t have a player in the back four with the combination of individual quality and athleticism to deal with an in-form Vinicius. An assist could be in the cards for the playmaker, whose flair will steal the show at the Bernabeu.
3. Thibaut Courtois will have at least five saves
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is in the running as the team’s most valuable player this season, right alongside defensive midfielder Casemiro. And unlike Case, Courtois didn’t have a letdown game against Manchester City, as he could do nothing about a header in the six-yard box or a penalty kick.
In all honesty, Courtois was one of the best players on the pitch with six saves, equaling his saves total in January when Real won the Spanish Supercup against rivals Atletico Madrid.
Look for the Belgian star to have another major performance against a rival. Courtois’ work in between the posts has been exemplary this season, as no keeper in the league has allowed fewer goals per game or recorded clean sheets at a higher rate.
He is world-class and, like against Getafe and Osasuna, he will make saves that keep his team in the game. And that will make all the difference against a side with Barca’s quality.