The fans in Spain, and probably in most of the world, are not happy that the Spanish Super Cup final is played in Saudi Arabia for the second year in a row. But as we all know, football is business and that part of the world is where clubs are incentivized to get their money from.Los Blancos booked their place in Sunday’s showpiece event with an extra-time victory over city neighbours Atletico Madrid, while the Catalan giants dispatched Osasuna in their semi-final outing.Real Madrid now have the chance to win the trophy for the first time in five seasons and the 13th time in their history, which would move them to within one Super Cup of record winners Barcelona.While they may have come up short against their bitter rivals in last year’s final, Real Madrid will head into Sunday’s contest in a confident mood, having avoided defeat in each of their last 20 competitive matches (17 wins, three draws) since losing to Atleti in September.That run of results includes a victory in October’s Clasico when Jude Bellingham netted a brace – including a 92nd-minute winner – to guide his team to a narrow 2-1 victory, representing a second straight win in competitive head-to-head matches against Barcelona.##NAJAVA_MECA_7799362##Last season, the Catalans ended their five-year wait for a Super Cup and now Barcelona have the chance to win the trophy for the second year in a row. Barcelona’s win over Osasuna was their third consecutive victory in all competitions, while they also ended a six-game wait for a clean sheet.The Catalan giants also have the chance to win consecutive Spanish Super Cups for the first time since achieving the feat in 2010 and 2011 when Pep Guardiola was in the dugout and Xavi was marshaling the midfield. They can also become the first reigning league champions to lift the trophy since they beat Sevilla 2-1 in Morocco in August 2018.With Barcelona currently sitting in third place and seven points behind Real Madrid in La Liga, they may have some extra motivation to claim the silverware on Sunday, especially as they gave up a lead to lose to their rivals in October’s league meeting.As with most clubs in European football, two rivals are hit with absences, mostly because of injuries. Real Madrid remain without Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and David Alaba, who are all at different stages of recovery from anterior cruciate ligament injuries.Right-back Lucas Vazquez will miss a third consecutive match after sustaining a hamstring injury before Real Madrid’s recent Copa del Rey win over Aranadina.Kepa Arrizabalaga drew scrutiny for his part in Rudiger’s own goal in the semi-final, and the Chelsea loanee is at risk of losing his place in the side to Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.❗If FC Barcelona win tonight, they will win their 100th trophy and equal Real Madrid. [@mundodeportivo] 🏆 pic.twitter.com/lGD17B4k1G— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) January 14, 2024 Federico Valverde will be fit to take his place in midfield despite being forced off in the first half of extra time against Atleti with a knock.In the opposite dressing room, Yamal is expected to replace Raphinha on the right flank after the Brazilian picked up a hamstring injury in the win over Osasuna.Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marcos Alonso are continuing to recover from back surgery, while Inigo Martinez and Gavi will miss out due to muscle and knee injuries respectively.Joao Cancelo has been absent since sustaining a knee problem against Las Palmas earlier this month, and the full-back is unlikely to return in time for Sunday’s final.Pedri is in contention to start after recovering from injury to feature as a substitute in the semi-final, and the midfielder could be joined in the starting eleven by forward Joao Felix, who came off the bench to provide an assist for Barcelona’s second goal in the semis.Regardless of the rivals’ late form, El Clasico will never leave you indifferent. And tonight’s rumble in Riyadh should be nothing short of a spectacle.
