Real Madrid vs Barcelona – where to watch, kick-off time, possible line-ups, form guide | OneFootball

Sunday is the day of reckoning in the 2023/24 Supercopa de Espana as arch-rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona trade tackles at Riyadh’s KSU Stadium.

In a repeat of last year’s final, the two most decorated Spanish clubs battle it out for the trophy in Saudi Arabia, just as they did 12 months ago when Barcelona ran out 3-1 victors.

Where to watch?

If you want to watch this or any other Los Blancos game, check out Real Madrid live streams here.

Blaugrana fans can visit our Barcelona livestream page here.

What do you need to know?

Since Saudi Arabia acquired the hosting rights for the annual Super Cup competition in 2019/20, Madrid and Barcelona have finished on the podium on all three occasions.

After overcoming Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao in the first two editions, Los Merengues surrendered the crown to the record-time winners Blaugrana last year.

Driven by revenge, Carlo Ancelotti’s men take the field fresh off a stunning 5-3 extra-time triumph against Diego Simeone’s Atletico in the first semi-final tie, bidding to take home the trophy for the 13th time.

Reigning holders Barcelona netted twice beyond half-time to topple last season’s beaten Copa del Rey finalists Osasuna 2-0 and move within one win of being crowned champions for a record-extending 15th time.

Real Madrid

Incredible scenes in the first semi-final saw Ancelotti’s team claw back from a deficit twice before sealing a spectacular win against Atletico, prompting the manager’s sumptuous post-match remarks.

Referring to Madrid’s ability to get out of troublesome situations and make comebacks, the veteran manager said (via AS): “Nothing new. It’s pure Real Madrid DNA. This team never gives up. You can lose, but never give up,”

Not only did that turnaround extend Los Blancos’ unbeaten streak in all competitions to 20 matches (W17, D3), but presented them with an opportunity to give Barcelona a taste of their own medicine.

Last year’s defeat in Riyadh was Madrid’s first Super Cup loss at the hands of the Catalan powerhouse since 2012, knocking them down from four consecutive H2H victories in the competition.

Barcelona

Barcelona last defended the Super Cup crown during Pep Guardiola’s regime, winning three successive titles between 2009 and 2011.

Their hopes of replicating that feat rest upon Xavi Hernandez’s capacity to beat Ancelotti for the fifth time in their ninth competitive encounter as managers (L4).

Speaking to the club’s official website following a hard-earned semi-final win against Osasuna, Xavi urged the Blaugrana to ‘impose ourselves on the contest to show our DNA in the Clásico’.

However, Barcelona have recently faltered in this fixture, losing 4-0 in the second leg of last season’s Copa del Rey semi-final tie before going down 2-1 at home in La Liga this term.

Form Guide

Real Madrid

With confidence bursting at the seams after making 20 matches undefeated in all competitions, Madrid will be out to post a third straight victory against Barcelona for the first time since January 2022.

Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWWWWWDWWW

Barcelona

Unfazed by Madrid’s sterling run, Barcelona should enter the game in a buoyant mood after stitching together a four-match winning streak following three consecutive winless outings (D1, L2).

Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWWWDLLWWD

Team News

Madrid touched down in Saudi Arabia without first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, Eder Militao and Lucas Vasquez.

But Turkish prodigy Arda Guler recorded his first minutes in the white shirt in a cameo appearance against Atletico on Wednesday.

Barcelona lost Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, Gavi, Joao Cancelo and Marcos Alonso for this game.

Xavi’s side took another injury blow against Osasuna as Raphinha limped off the field in pain already in the first half.

Possible Starting Line-ups

Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Aurelien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy; Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Federico Valverde; Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior.

Barcelona (4-3-3): Inaki Pena; Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Balde; Ilkay Gundogan, Sergi Roberto, Frenkie de Jong; Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski.