Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Team News, Predicted Lineup, Live Stream & TV Info

By Jason Pettigrove

Barcelona host Real Madrid in the second La Liga Clasico of the season.

You would likely have got very good odds a few weeks ago if money had been placed on the Catalans arriving at the biggest game of the season, to this point, in top spot.

Real were taking all before them pre-Christmas but since then have gone off the boil somewhat, as their current form below shows.

Home advantage isn't really an advantage where Clasico's are concerned, and indeed, Barca have only won two home league games against Los Blancos in the last five years, per Fussball Wettpoint.

The return of both Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric to Real's starting lineup is a real fillip for Carlo Ancelotti, but if Lionel Messi plays anywhere close to his performance against Manchester City, then we might see a repeat of the "manita" of 2010.

Date: Sunday, March 22

Time: 8 p.m. GMT / 3 p.m ET

Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

TV Info: Sky Sports 5 (UK only) / beIN Sports 1 (USA only)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only) / beIN Sports Connect (USA only)

There's not too much doubt that Luis Enrique will go with his strongest available squad for the arrival of Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez have put Madrid's "BBC" firmly in their place with a stunning array of strikes over the past weeks, and the 80 goals scored between them is better than Madrid's own front three.

Unless the curse of a training ground spat should rear its ugly head, then all three will start for Barca.

Sergio Busquets faces a late fitness test to determine his suitability. If, as expected, he is ruled out, Javier Mascherano will step into a role he calls his own in the Argentina national side. 

Marc Bartra really deserves the opportunity to stand alongside Gerard Pique, but the manager is likely to stick to his tried-and-tested and place Jeremy Mathieu there.

Ivan Rakitic has done enough to warrant a starting berth, but you wonder to what extent Xavi will play a part. This is likely to be his last El Clasico, therefore you can understand why there might be a little sentiment attached to team selection.

And after all, he's still "got it." Watching him and Andres Iniesta against Rayo Vallecano was a joy and harked back to an era that is rapidly being consigned to the history books.

Luis Enrique will not want Toni Kroos, Isco or Luka Modric getting a foothold in the midfield, but whether a high press and squeeze is beneficial is a moot point. Barca have come unstuck when Madrid have pumped balls over the top in games before now.

Raphael Varane will make way for Sergio Ramos, partnering Pepe in a strong central defensive unit while Marcelo will stand toe-to-toe with his Brazilian team mate Dani Alves. It could well be the last time those two meet in earnest, given that Alves is rumoured to have secured a move away from Camp Nou per Simon Jones of the Daily Mail.

Dani Carvajal will have the unenviable job of marking Neymar and the marauding Jordi Alba.

Claudio Bravo let in three the last time the teams met, and you can be assured that his professional pride won't allow him to even contemplate a similar scenario playing out.

At the other end, Iker Casillas will be booed and whistled again, but at least it's not from his own fans this time.

Can Cristiano Ronaldo up his game for El Clasico?

He might not be enjoying his best form of the season, but there's nothing that Cristiano Ronaldo loves more than to silence the Camp Nou crowd.

His pace will always cause Barca problems, and to that end, utilising Jeremy Mathieu rather than Marc Bartra alongside Gerard Pique would be a mistake.

While there are still many points to play for after this game, Ronaldo is likely to adopt an all or nothing attitude, knowing that a win for Real leaves the race for the title back in their own hands.

Giving away free-kicks within range might cause the Catalans problems because, although the Portuguese hasn't scored from a direct free-kick in his last 51 attempts, per AS via ESPN, that run has to end soon. Why not in the backyard of your fiercest rivals?

Luis Suarez is in much better form now than on debut at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Luis Suarez and Pepe in the same game is a recipe for fireworks, but with both at the top of their game, the battle between the two will be a fascinating contest.

The Portuguese needs to remain touch-tight on Suarez at all times, because the Uruguayan is adept on turning on a sixpence, and once he is facing goal, he will cause problems.

Direct running and the ability to draw players into the foul in dangerous areas are what Pepe and Sergio Ramos have to look forward to, and neither will be relishing the prospect.

Allowing Suarez the opportunity of a run on goal is tantamount to professional suicide. At arms length, please.

Pepe will certainly have earned his keep by the end of this one, and if he is able to ensure a shut-out, then expect to see his name splashed right across the back pages. Why? Because the difference in the player in terms of discipline and tactical nous from this time last season is marked. He deserves huge credit for turning that part of his game around.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2395628-barcelona-vs-real-madrid-team-news-predicted-line-up-live-stream-tv-info