There is one big team news, Benzema will not play. Not only does it mean that Real will miss his goals, but also the efficiency of Vinicius is gone as well despite how he good he is individually.

Actually the key point will be how Xavi will approach to eliminate him? If he relies on Dani Alves there is a big danger of losing the fight of speed, yet Alves is important to be on the pitch. Perhaps Dembele will follow Vinicius to slow him down? Or the power machine Traore?

The defense is the only worry for Xavi, and if I was him I might go with Lenglet as pair to Pique as a centre-back. If he plays Eric Garcia there I am both surprised and disappointed. He is a hazard in these bigger games, and looks solid with the ball only against the lesser teams who do not press.

Whoever handles the transitions better wins this. The moments when the ball is lost or won, and there Barcelona midfield is better equipped with that. Also the self-confidence is sky high as they are creating a lot, scoring a lot, and winning games. 

Sure, Real won over PSG, but they needed a lot of luck - and a forced error by keeper Donnarumma - to turn the match where they had been the second best for the first 3 halves.

Real won the encounter in October by 1-2, but it was still the era of Koeman. In the Supercup in January things were a more even, and taking into account the sharply uprising trend of Barcelona in the last 2 months I would not call you crazy if you said they might be favourites in this!

Barcelona to win, unless the luck follows Real Madrid once more.

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