#360fans: FC Barcelona Fan Club UAE preview - Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Sport360 staff 23:24 20/11/2015
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  • Lionel Messi in training action with Barcelona this week.

    Ahead of Barcelona’s trip to the Santiago Bernabeu, the  FC Barcelona Fan Club UAE previews the game for Sport360, including predicting the likely XIs and picking their players to watch.

    Do you agree with this assessment on the match? Let us know using #360fans on Twitter or commenting on the Sport360 Football Facebook page.

    –  #360FANS: Defence key for Real Madrid
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    – FOLLOW: Live football scores from around the world
    – SHARE, RATE, WIN with Sport360 and ValoraFutbol

    Finally the wait is over. Arguably the biggest game in domestic club football in the world is upon us. People in Buenos Aires, Glasgow or Milan might disagree but the fact is nothing makes more waves than this match.

    It’s here and it’s on Saturday at 9:15pm, a rather good time for a change.

    In a real turn of events in the last few weeks, Barcelona visit Madrid as leaders and the form team. Despite injuries and a few weak games Luis Enrique’s men have come through remarkably unharmed.

    Both Neymar and Suarez but especially the Brazilian have been on great form. The defence has tightened up a bit and the results are now being accompanied by good play.

    On the other hand a free scoring Real Madrid with what seemed an unbeatable Keylor Navas (it looks like he will return for the El Clasico), were in the lead with a significant goal difference tally, but just at the wrong time (for their fans) they have started to crack.

    Ronaldo disappears from games as he often does, but without scoring his goals, Kiko Casilla despite not having any major slip up hasn’t kept goal as effectively as Keylor and of course there is the Karim Benzema Scandal. 

    The game against Sevilla epitomised Benitez’s Madrid, fast out of the blocks and very dangerous for the first 30 minutes. Hold on past those 30 minutes and you have a chance. These will be the crucial minutes.

    Barcelona as always will have to take care of the right-hand side with a vulnerable Dani Alves – unless Enrique opts to start with a possibly fit-again Sergi Roberto. Then there is the dilemma of whether Messi will be back or not?? Will he be played if not fully fit? How would this affect the current form of Neymar and Suarez? I am sure that Barcelona will only play him if fully fit, do not be surprised if he starts on the bench and makes an appearance in the last half an hour of the game.

    Possible Barcelona line-up: 

    ‎Bravo, Alves, Rakitic, Pique, Alba, Mascherano, Busquets, Iniesta, Neymar, Suarez, Messi (if fully fit)

    Man to watch: obviously the little Argentine magician if he is back, if anything to see how well or not he has recovered. But if not, and it is likely that he won’t start, it has to be Neymar. The Brazilian is playing the best football since he arrived at Barça. He is fun to watch. Also watch for significant booing eveytime Pique touches the ball, something he is becoming used to outside the camp nou. 

    Prediction: Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona (Neymar, Suarez and Rakitic to score for the away side.)

    We all gather at the only UAE FC Barcelona official supporters club which is in Sevilles restaurant, WAFI rooftop terraces. Find us on Facebook.

    As for Madrid depends on what you are watching for, Ronaldo to see if he wakes from his slumber or Casemiro if he plays, will he make his team more defensive as he will surely play to try and stop barca’s engine. 

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