by
El Clasico is back again on Sunday when Barcelona host Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou in La Liga with Xavi’s men nine points clear of Carlo Ancelotti’s side. These two will meet again once more next month in their Copa del Rey semifinal second leg which Barca lead, but this one is likely Real’s final chance to perhaps claw back some ground in the title race. The hosts won the Spanish Supercopa Clasico — because you can never have too many installments in a single season — but the visitors won the earlier La Liga encounter and could complete a league double.
Starting lineups
Barcelona: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen; Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Balde; Frenkie De Jong, Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto; Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi.
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho; Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric; Fede Valverde, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
CBS Sports has a brand new daily soccer podcast, covering everything you need to know about the beautiful game. Make sure to give House of Champions a follow for coverage of the biggest games, stories, transfer news with Fabrizio Romano, and everything else going on in the world’s most popular sport.
Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo did the damage when Real beat Barca 3-1 in La Liga back in October at Santiago Bermabeu as Ferran Torres grabbed a consolation strike. However, much has changed since then — notably the league table which now has the Blaugrana nine points clear of Los Blancos.
Xavi’s men exacted some revenge in the SuperCopa with a 3-1 victory in Saudi Arabia with Gavi, Robert Lewandowski and Pedri all scoring to earn a first title under the legendary former Spain international. Benzema got a consolation effort that day and also scored in midweek as Real advanced past Liverpool in the UEFA Champions league with Barca’s European run over this campaign.
An Eder Militao own goal was all that separated these two in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg in Madrid and Real will be making this trip once more next month when they come back for the return leg. Depending on the outcome of this one, the cup could more important for Ancelotti’s side who need these three points to keep their slim title defense hopes alive.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday, Mar. 19 | Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: Spotify Camp Nou — Barcelona
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Barca +120; Draw: +240; Real +220 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
And remember, all of your soccer needs — from Champions League to Serie A to NWSL and so much more — are available on Paramount+. You can try one month free by using the code: ADVANCE.
