After winning both the Champions League and La Liga last season, Real Madrid (RM) will start their pre-season 2022-23 against arch-rivals FC Barcelona (BAR) at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, United States on Sunday, July 24. The match will start at 8:30 AM IST (Indian Standard Time).
RM vs BAR Dream11 prediction
Real Madrid will play their first match since defeating Liverpool 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 final at Stade de France in May.
As far as their summer transfer activity is concerned, Los Blancos have signed 22-year-old midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni from AS Monaco for 80 million euros. The reigning UCL champions have also roped in former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer.
On the other hand, Barcelona will be brimming with confidence after the Catalans thrashed MLS side Inter Miami 6-0 in their second pre-season 2022-23 match on Wednesday.
Goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, new signing Raphinha, Ansu Fati, Gavi, Memphis Depay and Ousmane Dembele helped Barcelona register a dominant victory.
Earlier, Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw by Spanish fifth-tier outfit Unió Esportiva Olot in their first pre-season friendly.
Xavi’s Barcelona have already made several reinforcements to their squad, signing Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen and Pablo Torre. Lewandowski is in line to make his Barcelona debut in the El Clasico on Sunday.
Barcelona hold a superior head-to-head record against Real Madrid in the El Clasico, winning 116 of the 282 matches that they have played so far. Madrid have secured 104 victories.
In exhibition matches, the Catalans giants have a dominant record, winning 19 of the 33 matches. Real Madrid have managed just four victories while 10 matches have ended in draws.
RM vs BAR Dream11 team tips for pre-season 2022-23 football friendly
Top Tip: Best forward
Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema is the top forward to watch out for in the RM vs BAR clash. The Ballon d'Or 2022 contender was the one of the standout players in Europe last season, netting 44 goals and providing 15 assists in 46 matches. Benzema will look to continue his impressive form against Barcelona in their pre-season clash on Sunday.
Top Tip: Best midfielder
Picking Real Madrid star midfielder Toni Kroos in any fantasy football team for the El Clasico is a no-brainer. Alongside Luka Modric and Casemiro, Kroos played a pivotal role in helping Madrid clinch the double last season. The German international scored three goals and bagged just as many assists in the 2021-22 campaign. Kroos will look to assert his authority in the midfield engine room against arch-rivals Barcelona.
Top Tip: Best defender and goalkeeper
Among the defenders, one must pick Real Madrid’s David Alaba in your fantasy football team for the El Clasico in Las Vegas. Since making his move from Bayern Munich, Alaba played a total of 46 matches last season. Along with his impressive defensive credentials, the left-footed defender has netted 46 goals and provided 70 assists in his 558 career matches so far. He will play a key role in order to stop the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.
For the goalkeeper spot, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois will be the preferred choice over Marc-André ter Stegen of Barcelona. Courtois made as many as nine saves against Liverpool in the Champions League final to power Madrid to their 14th UCL title. He will be a quality investment for this match.
RM vs BAR probable playing XI
Real Madrid playing XI (probable): Thibaut Courtois (goalkeeper); Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba; Aurelien Tchouameni, Casemiro, Toni Kroos; Rodrygo, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Barcelona playing XI (probable): Marc-André ter Stegen (goalkeeper); Sergino Dest, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Jordi Alba; Gavi, Sergio Busquets, Pedri; Raphinha, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres
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Featured photo: LLUIS GENE / AFP
