Match Today: Real Madrid vs Barcelona 16-10-2022 La Liga El Clasico

Real Madrid Receive Barcelona in the first Clasico of the 2022/23 season at the Santiago Bernabeu, its traditional rival Barcelona.

One of the most awaited matches in football, no love will be lost between the two teams on Sunday as they line up for the 185th edition of the match. Real Madrid and Barcelona may both lack the old big names, but they won't be awarded a quarter in a draw that produced some exciting moments in history.

Both teams are the only two unbeaten teams in La Liga this season. They are tied on points at the top of the table with the Catalan side advancing on a goal difference basis. The defending champions Carlo Ancelotti know they can't lose any points on that night and hope the ground advantage can turn the score in their favour.

Real come out of the back of a 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk. Despite preparing to qualify for the Round of 16, Carlo Ancelotti was not happy with his team's performance and there is no better chance than El Clasico to prove a point.

Barcelona enters the match after drawing 3-3 with Inter Milan at the Camp Nou. Unlike Real Madrid, the Catalan side may struggle to get out of their group in the Champions League.

It's fair to say that both managers will be eager to grab a win and shed the bitter taste of frustration from the middle of the week. With only eight games played so far, the La Liga title will not be won this weekend. However, overcoming their arch rivals would give any side more than just bragging rights.

It can also give them a psychological edge to see what a warrior title race could be fiercely. The defending champions will miss last season's Champions League final champion Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian suffers from a muscle injury and will miss the match. Dani Ceballos is also excluded.

And the summer signing of Antonio Rudiger was the hero against Shakhtar, and he equalized with his team in the fifth minute of stoppage time. He is suffering from a head injury and despite joining the mobile team, he is unlikely to start the match.

Ancelotti has a well-suited squad to choose from and is likely to tackle a flexible 4-3-3 formation. Andre Lunin will start in goal behind four defenses from Daniel Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy.

Karim Benzema will continue to attack and will partner with Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde on both sides. The Uruguayan can also drop in midfield and aim to cut off the passing routes of Barcelona players. Having an extra person in the middle of the park can upset Barcelona's rhythm and help the home team retain control.

Despite securing 22 points from their first eight league games, one could argue that Barcelona struggled against elite opposition. Real Madrid will be the first big team they will face in La Liga this season and will give Barcelona a clear idea of ​​their position. One of the main reasons for the Catalans' weakness in Europe is their porous defense.

Gerard Pique is not the player he once was and is slow on the turn. While he could make way for Jules Conde, the French player's lack of match fitness could make him suffer.

With 184 matches between the two sides, El Clasico is the most played confrontation in La Liga history. Real Madrid have won 76 games while Barcelona have won 73 times. Real Madrid have won five of their last six games against Barcelona. A win on the night will see Barcelona beat consecutive El Clasico for the first time since 2019.

The clean sheet will see Barcelona keep a consecutive net against Real Madrid for the first time since 2009. Real Madrid have won seven of the first eight matches in the Spanish League this season. This is their best start to a league season since the 1992/93 season. Barcelona have conceded only one goal in their first eight La Liga games this season.

This is the second best defensive record of any team ever in La Liga at this point. (He co-signed him to Deportivo La Coruna in 1993/94 and Real Madrid in 1997/98. Barcelona has the best attack in La Liga this season, scoring 20 goals so far. Real Madrid has the second best attack with 19 goals.)