Wednesday, August 17, 2011

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17.08. (Wed) 23:00 Barcelona - Real

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Barcelona (4-1-2-3)
Valdes; Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Abidal; Fabregas; Xavi, Iniesta; Sanchez, Messi, Villa

Barcelona have no fresh injuries worries following the 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu but the Blaugrana are expected to field a makeshift defence as they did in the first leg.

Gerard Pique is likely to start at Camp Nou after making an appearance from the substitute’s bench in the first leg following his recovery from a tear to his hamstring. With Eric Abidal unable to cope with Karim Benzema’s trickery on Sunday, it is likely Javier Mascherano will partner Pique with the Frenchman being pushed to the left, replacing the Brazilian Adriano.

Club captain Carles Puyol has yet to prove his fitness following a knee operation during the summer but will hope to do so ahead of La Liga's first set of fixtures.

Barcelona confirmed the signing of Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas on Monday and Pep Guardiola has suggested that the midfielder could make his debut against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)
Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo; Alonso, Khedira; Coentrao, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema

Jose Mourinho may opt to field the same starting XI as he did on Sunday following an impressive performance from his side. The 11 in question were the same players that were destroyed 5-0 in El Clasico last season but it was a stark improvement for los Blancos.

Fabio Coentrao could be preferred to Angel di Maria, who struggled to impact the game at the Bernabeu, as Madrid hope to stem any early Barcelona pressure at Camp Nou.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barcelona were the last team not to win at home before going on to win the trophy, a feat managed back in 2005.

The Catalans have won the last two matches at the Camp Nou in the Supercopa between the Liga giants.

Lionel Messi will move to joint sixth in the all-time top goal scorer chart in El Clasico meetings with one goal at the Camp Nou.

Cesc Fabregas could make his debut for Barcelona following his move from Arsenal, with the Catalan side confirming his transfer during the first leg at the Bernabeu.

A Barcelona victory would see Pep Guardiola’s side lift the trophy for the 10th time in their history; whilst Real Madrid would equal Barcelona’s nine triumphs if they overcome the hosts.

The Blaugrana are seeking to become the first team since Real Madrid to win the Supercopa for a third time in a row.

Real Madrid were the last team to win the Supercopa despite failing to win the first leg in 2008 when los Blancos overturned a first leg 3-2 loss against Valencia.

Mesut Ozil became the first German to score in the Supercopa with his first half strike in the first leg.

The Supercopa has not witnessed a draw since the first leg of the 2001 Supercopa when Real Zaragoza drew against los Blancos.

Only a score of 2-2 will see the Supercopa go to extra-time; if the scores are level after 90 minutes the away goals rule comes into effect.

If the score finishes 2-2 at Camp Nou it will be the first time that the Supercopa has not been settled in normal time.

Prediction 
Editor's Prediction 
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid