Perhaps a little premature but there's a lot to talk about.

Sport is predicting a 3-5-2 for the game, with Puyol, Masch and Abidal as the last three men, Dani Alves further up ahead, Keita, Busi, Xavi and Iniesta comforming the rest of the midfield and one of Messi + forward the forward line.

As the chances of Pique getting a 2 match ban seems more and more likely... 3-5-2 is probably one of the options, although not the ideal one.

i still think Barcelona will play 4-3-3 with

Alves-Puyol-Mascherano-Abidal
----------Busquets----------
-----Xavi------------Iniesta---
--Sanchiz-----Messi----- Villa


Pretty strong line up i must say! with Iniesta back and Puyol recovered, this will be one strong line up indeed.

Not to mention likes of Fabregas, Sanchiz/pedro, Thiago, Adriano and Keita (lol) in bench,

Although without pique backline will look a bit shaky, but Puyol's inclusion will solidify the defense. Adriano for me will be a more attacking option instead of Abidal, however i don't see that as the case as Abidal will be picked to neutralize Di Maria's attacking.

Alves on the other hand will have his hands filled with Ronaldo, and therefore i can very much see his forward runs VERY limited due to that.



IF Lass goes right back, that will be interesting as well.

Whatever formation does not include Pique or Abidal as CB will automatically mean that Madrid will score at least once from a corner kick.
Seriously Masch + Puyol will impair us significantly when the ball is on the air

Big big big game. Anything can happen and no result will surprise me. I'll have to bring out the big guns.



Firework luck ritual from Taiwan



Sakha luck ritual from the Republic of Sakha in the Russian federation.

And the OG's the undefeated Peruvian Luck Shamans:



Come on Madrid

()

I neg'ed you Zealous! That's right. It was my counter that nullified your jinx last game.

This is not going to work!

Kiranr Counter

I'm worried that this projected 3-5-2 would have a lot of the things that frustrate us as Barca fans. For instance, Iniesta would play a wing role. Keita would start. A 3 man defense has not proven effective before, and would be overrun by Madrid's 4-2-3-1.

Chill guys, we got this.

Pique won't be given a two match ban, RFEF don't have the balls to do that.

We'll play 4-3-3 with Puyol and Pique, Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta, with Villa, Messi and Sex(thats what Barca fans on Barcaforum call Alexis) as the front three

Sex

Do Sport predict formations well? Do they have some sort of insider in the Barcelona staff to predict formations like this?

Have we played 3-5-2 in any match till now?

They sometimes hit it right, but I doubt they'd hit it right 2 weeks in advanced.

They have hit the 3-4-3 right even before Cesc arrived to Barca. I remember i had a topic about that.

It could happen if Pique is not playing.

Remember Mascherano? He is a worty defender though his height is the only concern. Makes good, effective slide tackles. Great Player! 4-3-3 though with Pep, you never know!

kiranr wrote:
I neg'ed you Zealous! That's right. It was my counter that nullified your jinx last game.

This is not going to work!

LOL! It's cool bro just do what you gotta do

Zealous wrote:

kiranr wrote:
I neg'ed you Zealous! That's right. It was my counter that nullified your jinx last game.

This is not going to work!

LOL! It's cool bro just do what you gotta do

_|_

Will Messi continue to play out wide again?

billy_gr wrote:Whatever formation does not include Pique or Abidal as CB will automatically mean that Madrid will score at least once from a corner kick.
Seriously Masch + Puyol will impair us significantly when the ball is on the air

Puyol is a fantastic header.

What are the chances that a 3-4-3 is to be deployed by Pep?

If so, what are your thoughts on playing 3-4-3 against Madrid?

Would it increase the chance of winning or the opposite?

I need your opinions to shut another dude up lol.

Dont know. Before the Milan game I would of said no...but he went with that minus Pique AWAY against Milan.

The boldest he has been with it so far.

I think if he did go with 343, we would be much more open and I think Mou would exploit it.

He would leave Cristiano very high and wide on the leftside and force diagonal balls over there all game and cause it problems.

Crimson wrote:Will Messi continue to play out wide again?

Hope not. Not involved enough in the game and if he is there, we have no width untill Dani Alves comes forward which cant happen if he is too busy marking Cristiano.

Unless he goes 343 and Thiago can make those runs.

IMO, we should play a typical 4-3-3

Valdes
Alves Pique Puyol Abidal
Xavi Sergio Iniesta
Alexis Messi Villa

if Pique is suspended, its another story.. cuz we migh suffer in the airduels/ crosses into the penalty boz from freekicks & corners... Masche will have a hard time vs players like Cristiano, Ramos etc..

!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fabregas, Pedro/Alexis and Kieta to come on.

La Liga (Week 15): Real Madrid CFVs FC Barcelona@ 10PM Spain Time.

What are your predictions & thoughts about this match?

Plz NO SILLY COMMENTS!! Just:
[b]1- Lineup Predictions (for both teams if u want)
2- Formations, Tactics u think Mourinho & Guardiola will try etc..
3- Score u predict (optional)

=============================

~ Some Stats:

The Classico was played once on 10 December before & the result was 1-1 (0-0 at HT)
10 December 1967
Real Madrid 1 – 1 FCBarcelona (Bernabeu)


All-time Head-to-head results

`Total Official Matches: 215
- Real Madrid wins: 86
- FC Barcelona wins: 84
- Draws: 45
- Real Madrid scored 354 goals, while FCBarcelona 347 goals.


`Total Official LEAGUE Matches: 162
- Real Madrid wins: 68
- FC Barcelona wins: 63
- Draws: 31
- Real Madrid scored 259 goals, while FCBarcelona 252 goals.


------------------

Biggest League wins:

- for Barca:
24 September 1950
FC Barcelona 7 - 2 Real Madrid

- for RealMadrid
3 February 1935
Real Madrid 8 - 2 FC Barcelona

------------------

El Classico (BIGGEST RESULTS - LEAGUE Wins by 4goals or more)

~ FOR REAL MADRID ~

30 March 1930
Real Madrid 5 - 1 FC Barcelona

28 January 1934
Real Madrid 4 - 0 FC Barcelona

3 February 1935
Real Madrid 8 - 2 FC Barcelona

18 September 1949
Real Madrid 6 - 1 FC Barcelona

25 October 1953
Real Madrid 5 - 0 FC Barcelona

27 January 1963
FC Barcelona 1 - 5 Real Madrid

15 December 1963
Real Madrid 4 - 0 FC Barcelona

30 January 1978
Real Madrid 4 - 0 FC Barcelona

7 January 1995
Real Madrid 5 - 0 FC Barcelona

-----------------

~ FOR FCBARCELONA ~

21 April 1935
FC Barcelona 5 - 0 Real Madrid

25 March 1945
FC Barcelona 5 - 0 Real Madrid

24 September 1950 3
FC Barcelona 7 - 2 Real Madrid

21 February 1954
FC Barcelona 5 - 1 Real Madrid

26 October 1958
FC Barcelona 4 - 0 Real Madrid

17 February 1974
Real Madrid 0 - 5 FC Barcelona

8 January 1994
FC Barcelona 5 - 0 Real Madrid

2 May 2009
Real Madrid 2 - 6 FC Barcelona

29 November 2010
FC Barcelona 5 - 0 Real Madrid

----------------

~ Biggest League Draw:
10 January 1943
FC Barcelona 5 - 5 Real Madrid

===========================

La Liga Table ( Week 13 ):

`Standing Table
1 Real Madrid CF 34pts +36
2 FC Barcelona 31 +35 (+1 Match)
3 Valencia CF 27 +8
4 Levante UD 26 +11
5 Malaga 23 +1

===========================

~ Some Players Stats:

~ Messi vs RealMadrid: played 15 matches ( 8W, 4D, 3L) in all competitions scored 13 goals & provided 7assists.

~ C.Ronaldo vs FCBarcelona: played 12 matches (2W, 4D, 6L) in all competitions scored 3 goals.

~ Valdes vs RealMadrid: Played 21matches (10W, 5D, 6L) conceded 27goals [ 7 Cleansheets]

~ Casillas vs FCBarcelona: Played 26matches (7W, 8D, 11L) conceded 46goals [ 5 cleansheets]


You are welcome to add more Stats ( details ) etc..

~ Current Form ~

`La Liga STATS ( Week 14 ):

- Standing Table
1 Real Madrid CF 37pts +39
2 FC Barcelona 34 +40 (+1 match)
3 Valencia CF 30 +9
4 Levante UD 26 +6

-----------------

- Real Madrid played 14 League matches (12W, 1D, 1L) this season scored 49goals & conceded 10.

- Barcelona played 15 League matches (10W, 4D, 1L) this season scored 47goals & conceded 7.

-----------------

`Goals Scored:

~ Barca (47 League Goals):
- Open Play 36
- Set Piece 6
- Own Goal 2
- Fast Break 2
- Penalty 1

~ RealMadrid (49 League Goals):
- Open Play 28
- Fast Break 9
- Set Piece 6
- Penalty 6

-----------------------


`Possession (average):
- RealMadrid: 63%
- Barcelona: 71%

`Passing Accuracy:
- RealMadrid: 86%
- Barcelona: 90%

`Shots on Target per Game:
- RealMadrid: 8
- Barcelona: 8

`Fouls commited per game:
- RealMadrid: 17
- Barcelona: 14

`Shots conceded per game:
- RealMadrid: 10
- Barcelona: 6

`Interception/Tackles per game:
- RealMadrid: 16/23
- Barcelona: 17/20

===================

>>> Players Stats <<<


` TopScorers (2 goals or more JUST in the League):

- FCBarcelona:
1- Leo Messi 17goals
2- Cesc Fabregas 7
3- David Villa 5
4- Alexis 4
4- Xavi 4
6- Cuenca 2

- RealMadrid CF:
1- Cristiano Ronaldo 17goals
2- Higuain 12
3- Benzema 7
4- DiMaria 3
4- Kaka 3
6- Marcelo 2

------------------

` Top Assisters (2 assists or more JUST in the League:)

- FCBarcelona:
1- Leo Messi 7assists
2- Fabregas 5
2- Xavi 5
2- Alves 5
5- Iniesta 4
6- Thiago 2
Abidal 2
Pedro 2
Adriano 2

- RealMadrid CF:
1- DiMaria 11assists
2- Cristiano 6
3- Ozil 5
4- Ramos 3
4- Arbeloa 3
6- Benzema 2
Kaka 2
Alonso 2
Coentrao 2