The anticipation is palpable as the Supercopa de España prepares for its fourth consecutive El Clásico showdown between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Barcelona cruised to a 5-0 victory over Athletic Club in the semifinals, while Real Madrid narrowly overcame Atletico Madrid 2-1, marking an exciting debut season for manager Xabi Alonso. This upcoming final not only offers a shot at silverware but could play a significant role in shaping the remainder of the season.
The past four supercopa winners have gone on to clinch LaLiga titles, which adds further weight to this encounter. Despite Barcelona holding a four-point advantage in the league, a Real Madrid win could create a compelling psychological dynamic. As every Clásico adds another chapter to this iconic rivalry, the coming match has the potential to define the trajectory of the season. Let’s delve into key elements to monitor during this high-stakes clash:
How to watch Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, odds
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 11 | Time: 2 p.m. ET
- Location: Alinma Bank Stadium at King Abdullah Sport City — Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- TV: ABC | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
- Odds: Barcelona -105; Draw +290; Real Madrid +250
Predicted lineups
With injuries affecting both teams, coaches face crucial player decisions. The most pressing question is Kylian Mbappé’s status, as he’s battling a knee issue. While he may not take the field, his presence could serve as a strategic distraction for Barcelona.
Barcelona: Joan Garcia, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Jules Koundé, Frenkie De Jong, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Ferran Torres
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Álvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, Raul Ascencio, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Gonzalo García
Rodrygo is crucial
Even though Kylian Mbappé’s situation is being monitored closely, his uncertain status doesn’t diminish the importance of Rodrygo for Real Madrid. Having demonstrated his ability to perform in critical moments, Rodrygo scored the decisive goal in the Madrid derby. His contributions this season may not fully display his impact, but when the stakes are high—particularly in cup competitions—he’s proven to be a game-changer.
While Rodrygo has recorded three goals and six assists in all competitions, his relevance spikes in cups, where he’s tallied twice and assisted two more in just six appearances across the Supercopa de España, Copa del Rey, and Champions League. His performance will be essential in a match of this magnitude.
Will Joan Garcia outshine Courtois?
Joan Garcia, the Barcelona keeper, made a significant switch from Espanyol to become their starting goalkeeper this season. Following a thrilling semifinal win, Garcia has recorded clean sheets in four consecutive games, proving invaluable for Barcelona’s high-tempo attack. A keeper in a high-pressure match must be both reliable and reactive, and Garcia has shown he’s capable of handling that burden.
In this final, he’ll face off against seasoned keeper Thibaut Courtois. Although the Belgian is now in his 30s, he remains a formidable presence. His experience ensures that Real Madrid’s defensive gaps are minimized. With Barcelona aiming to forge a new generation of goalkeepers, Garcia must rise to the occasion to secure a victory.
How can Raphinha be contained?
Real Madrid has to learn from past mistakes; they barely escaped the threat from Atletico Madrid. Granting Barcelona similar opportunities could lead to disaster. In their semifinal, Barcelona exhibited sharp efficiency, built a massive lead by halftime, and saw Raphinha score twice.
Unlike their semifinal, Real Madrid will face a fully engaged Barcelona squad, including key players like Robert Lewandowski, who did not play in the semifinal. With injuries impacting Antonio Rüdiger’s role, Barcelona is poised to attack this weakness. Additionally, Federico Valverde’s unorthodox position at right back could present yet another area of vulnerability for Madrid to address.
