Spanish football’s version of the Community Shield is a four-team affair these days, with teams having to negotiate a semi-final before they have a chance to win a trophy.
On Thursday, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club meet in the second draw, but before that El Clasico takes center stage and Barcelona and Real Madrid’s first meeting of 2022.
The teams have been in very different form so far this season, with Carlo Ancelotti leading Los Blancos to the top of the La Liga table with a fairly reliable line-up and not too many headline-grabbing moments across the continent.
It was quite the opposite for the Catalan side, but not in a positive sense; after a financial collapse and the exit of Lionel Messi, they are only now looking to fend for themselves and still sit sixth in the national rankings.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Supercopa semi-final.
When is the game?
The match kicks off at 19:00 GMT on Wednesday, January 12, at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1. Subscribers can stream the game through the BT Sport app and the desktop website.
Confirmed lineups
FCB – Ter Stegen, Dani Alves, Pique, Araujo, Alba, Gavi, F de Jong, Busquets, Dembele, L de Jong, Ferran
RMA – Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Jr
odds
Barcelona 11/4
Draw 37/13
Real Madrid 42/41
Prediction
Xavi has overseen a gradual improvement and the return of a few players will continue to make a difference for Barcelona, but it’s hard to see them getting close enough to Real Madrid in a single match for these reversals of fortune to make an immediate difference. . Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid.
