Real Madrid lays ambush for FC Barcelona in EL-CLASICO
By Tanko Bauka
The rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will be rekindled again this weekend as the Spanish La Liga defending Champion FC Barcelona travels to the capital to take on their old foes in an El Clásico match that always has the world’s attention.
El Clásico is the name given to any encounter between the two Spanish giants, and the two teams have met 209 times, with Real Madrid winning 105 to FC Barcelona 104.
FC Barcelona has recently dominated the El-Clásico, beating Real Madrid in all four matches played last season on their way to winning the league and double, and this season the two teams have both started very well in the league, losing one of their encounter against Sevilla and Atletico Madrid respectively.
Real Madrid will be going into the match sitting top of the league and knowing that the three points will be very vital as it will extend their lead, and so also FC Barcelona cannot afford to lose the three points as it will give their rival an edge over them.
Both teams boast of capable players that can win the El-Clásico as Real Madrid have the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Federico Valvede, and Arda Guler among others, while FC Barcelona boast of Lamine Yamal, Marcus Rashford, Ferran Torres, Pedri, Dani Olmo Raphinha and none of them can afford to lose ground at this early stage.
Other matches slated for this weekend include the encounter between Real Sociedad and Sevilla, while Valencia will host Villarreal as Real Betis seek all three points when Atletico Madrid come visiting.
Mallorca welcome Levante while Osasuna battle Celta Vigo, with Rayo Vallacano taking on Deportivo Alaves.
In the English Barclays Premier League, Manchester United, fresh and basking in their victory against Liverpool, seek to continue their momentum as they welcome another dangerous opponent,
Brighton and Hove Albion to Old Trafford, who have proven so stubborn against the Red Devils in recent times.
The league leader Arsenal would be at the Emirates Stadium in London to welcome one of their neighbours, Crystal Palace, and the Arteta boys would want to collect all three points at the expense of their visitors, who also, in recent times, have proven that they are not pushovers.
The defending Champion Liverpool FC, which is currently underperforming, have the opportunity to put its faltering season back on track as it travel to take on Brentford, who are presently full of confidence going into the encounter.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is under pressure after losing four straight matches in a row and would be hoping the boys would ease the pressure on him with a win.
Chelsea need to be at their best as they welcome impressive Sunderland to Stamford Bridge and must do everything humanly possible to keep their nerves in control as their discipline is always called into question.
Aston Villa host Manchester City while Newcastle United entertain Fulham, as Leeds United battle West Ham United at Elland Road.
In the Italian Serie A, the standout match for the week will be the match between the defending Champion Napoli, taking on Inter Milan at the Diego Maradona stadium, while the league leader AC Milan welcome newly promoted Pisa SC to San Siro in Milan, with Parma hosting Como.
Torino welcome Genoa as Atalanta travel to battle newly promoted Cremonese, while Lazio will have their hands full as they prepare to welcome Juventus.
In the German Bundesliga, Bayern Munich seek to maintain its one hundred per cent record as they visit immediate neighbours Borussia Monchengladbach in the Munich derby, while Bayer Leverkusen host SC Freiburg.
Borussia Dortmund seek three points against Cologne, with Eintracht Frankfurt hosting FC St Pauli, as Hoffenheim and Heidenheim battle each other.
Fixtures across Europe
English Barclays Premier League
Friday
Leeds United vs West Ham
Saturday
Newcastle United vs Fulham
Chelsea vs Sunderland
Manchester United vs Brighton
Brentford vs Liverpool
Sunday
Wolves vs Burnley
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Bournamount vs Nothingham
Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur
Spanish La Liga
Friday
Real Sociedad vs Sevilla
Saturday
Girona vs Real Oviedo
Espanyol vs Elche
Athletic Bilbao vs Gatafe
Valencia vs Villarreal
Sunday
Mallorca vs Lavente
Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona
Osasuna vs Celta Vigo
Rayo Vallacano vs Deportivo
Monday
Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid
Italian Serie A
Friday
AC Milan vs Pisa SC
Saturday
Udinese vs Lacce
Parma vs Como
Napoli vs Inter Milan
Cremonese vs Atalanta
Sunday
Torino vs Genoa
Hellas Verona vs Cagliari
Sassoulo vs AS Roma
Fiorentina vs Bologna
Lazio vs Juventus
German Bundesliga
Friday
Werder Bremen vs Union Berlin
Saturday
Hoffenheim vs Heidenheim
Hamburger vs Wolfsburg
Bayern Monchenglabach vs Bayern Munich
FC Augsburg vs RB Leipzig
Frankfurt vs FC St Pauli
Dortmund vs Koln
Sunday
Leverkusen vs SC Freiburg
Stuttgart vs Mainz 05
