Barcelona vs Real Madrid Prediction: Raphinha to continue Clasico scoring form

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Match Preview:

For the fourth year in a row, Barcelona and Real Madrid meet in the final of the Supercopa de España. Both sides progressed from semi-finals this week to set up Sunday's showdown in Jeddah. 

Barça, who were 5-2 winners in last season's final, were far more impressive in midweek. They scored four times in the space of just 16 first-half minutes to blow Athletic Club away. Ominously for their rivals, that goal blitz came with Lamine Yamal watching from the substitutes' bench. 

Hansi Flick currently has an embarrassment of riches to pick from in the final third. Marcus Rashford, Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski also only made the bench on Wednesday, as youngster Roony Bardghji again caught the eye with a goal, while Raphinha bagged a brace to seal a 5-0 win. 

Aside from the attacking quality his side displayed, Flick would likely have been even happier to see his side record a fifth straight clean sheet. Defensive flaws have been evident throughout the German's reign, but they are currently finding ways to shut opponents out. 

Joan García's return from injury has been one major factor that has contributed to that. The young keeper put in a stunning performance against his old club Espanyol in a 2-0 Catalan derby victory last weekend. He already looks like a bargain buy at €25m, and the summer signing is surely set to be the Barcelona number one for many years to come. 

Real Madrid booked their final ticket with a 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid on Thursday night. A free-kick rocket from Fede Valverde put them in front after only two minutes, but it was Atleti who went on to have the better chances in the game. 

Diego Simeone's side had 22 attempts and created 2.3 xG across the 90 minutes, but some wasteful finishing allowed Los Blancos to hang on for a victory they scarcely deserved. 

That was a fifth win on the bounce for Xabi Alonso's side in all competitions. They did put in a better performance in the 5-1 demolition of Real Betis last weekend, when youngster Gonzalo García scored a perfect hat-trick. However, their overall level has remained relatively low throughout this winning streak, and this could still be a decisive game in terms of the future of the under-pressure coach. 

Alonso can point to a 2-1 win in El Clásico earlier in the season for evidence that his team is capable of delivering in the big matches. The circumstances building into that match were very different, though. Many of Barça's stars were lacking fitness, and the boot is on the other foot this time around, with Los Blancos hampered by selection issues at both ends of the pitch. 

Team News: 

Flick should have his full complement of attacking players to select from. At the very least, Yamal, who was unwell earlier in the week, should return to take his usual place on the right flank. The German could opt for further changes too, with Olmo, Rashford and Lewandowski all pushing for starting roles. 

Gavi and Andreas Christensen are the only definite injury absentees for the Catalans. Marc-André ter Stegen is also being hampered by a knee issue, but he'll only act as back-up to García even if passed fit. 

As for Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé has travelled to Saudi Arabia to join up with the squad, after playing no part in the semi-final. However, he's still struggling with a knee injury, and remains a doubt for this match. That suggests Gonzalo is still likely to lead the line. 

Alonso also has some significant selection issues at the back. Éder Militão and Trent Alexander-Arnold are both sidelined, while Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen were both unused substitutes in the semi-final, with neither deemed fit enough to play following recent injuries. 

Starting centre-backs Antonio Rüdiger and Raúl Asencio both needed to come off in that game with fitness issues. Rüdiger is now a major doubt for the final, in a fresh blow for Los Blancos.