Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Copa del Rey Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Fantasy XI

Real Madrid vs Barcelona: One of the most awaited rivalries in football history is back as Real Madrid is set to host FC Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu in Copa Del Rey semi-final on 3rd March.

Match Details:

• Location: Madrid, Spain
• Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
• Date: Thursday 2 March
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
• Referee: Jose Luis Munuera Montero
• VAR: Jose Luis Gonzalez Gonzalez

Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Match Preview:

The third Clasico of the season sees the two giants face in a third different competition having already met in La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana in Saudi Arabia - Los Blancos won 3-1 in the former, with La Blaugrana prevailing by the same scoreline in the latter.

With Barça seven points clear atop La Liga's table, this could be Real's only shot at winning Spanish silverware this season (we already know they're always up for a Champions League triumph).

Team News:

Real Madrid:

Carlo Ancelotti will be unable to call on David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo due to muscle problems on Thursday evening.

Aurelien Tchouameni could start in midfield after recently returning from injury.

Luka Modric has picked up a suspension in La Liga after receiving his fifth booking of the season but is eligible to play in the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona:

Xavi has a slightly longer list of key injuries to worry about.

After straining his hamstring, Robert Lewandowski will miss much 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.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Head to Head:

Real Madrid haven't lost a single game at the Santiago Bernabeu since April 2022, when they fell to Chelsea in the Champions League.

Barcelona were on an 18-game undefeated streak until they lost consecutive matches to Manchester United and Almeria in their last two outings.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have met two times this season. Real Madrid beat Barca at the Santiago Bernabeu in October.

The Catalans avenged that loss in the Spanish Super Cup final in January.

Predicted Line-ups:

Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Tchouameni, Kroos, Camavinga; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius.

Barcelona predicted lineup (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Busquets, Kessie, De Jong; Raphinha, Torres, Gavi.

RMA vs BAR: Fantasy XI

Courtois; Carvajal, Araujo, Christensen, Kroos, Camavinga; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius, Raphinha, Torres.