4 Questions We’re Asking Ahead of El Clasico

Matchday 10 in the Spanish La Liga and it’s time for the first El Clasico of the 2018!

It has been a strange La Liga season so far, with the strangest of events taking place.

First, it was the CR7 exit. Then there was Barcelona’s strange run of games (4) without a win and of course, Real Madrid’s longest goal drought in the history of the club and Alaves topping the table at some point last weekend.

It won’t get any stranger than this in the league for a few more years to come.

Speaking of the league, all eyes will be on the Spanish La Liga this weekend as Barcelona welcome Real Madrid to the Nou Camp on Sunday.

As with all big games like these, several questions are thrown around before the game. We take a look at 4 of them:

1. End of the road for Julen Lopetegui?

Since the 18/19 European football season began, Real Madrid, led by Julen Lopetegui, has only won one game away from home – their 4-1 win over Girona. The four other games have seen one draw and three losses.

With the former Porto manager under pressure, a loss in this game could mean a sack for him. Although his side has scored 5 goals in 5 away games across all competitions this season, can Madrid outscore Barcelona in this encounter?

2. Who will star in the absence of Messi and Ronaldo?

Cristiano Ronaldo has now become a fans’ favorite in Turin. Lionel Messi is out with an injury, making it the first time in over a decade that an El Clasico game will not feature both players.

It’s the perfect time for the other players to step up to the plate and steal the show? But which player(s) can do that? Luis Suarez? Gareth Bale? Marc Ter Stegen? Thibaut Courtois?

What do you think?

3. A goal fest or not?

Since 2007 till date, no El Clasico game, played at the Camp Nou, ended without a goal. And if the numbers are anything to go by, this trend may continue this weekend.

Barcelona, with 23 goals this season already – an average of over 2,5 goals per game – will face off against a Real Madrid side that has only failed to score against Barcelona twice in their past 20 meetings with the Catalan giants.

4. Who will win?

After all is said and done, it all comes down to this ultimate question: After 90 minutes, will it be the case of shared spoils or will it be either side celebrating victory over its eternal rival?

How will this one play out? Will Barcelona win to increase their lead at the top of the table or will Real Madrid win to move out of their current position on the log (7^th)?

What would be your responses to these questions? Share your thoughts with us by leaving us your comments. We’d love to hear from you.

Tags: el-classico