An El Clasico semi-final: What to expect from Barcelona and Real Madrid?

Expectations from the II leg

Barcelona has a very tough path to the second leg. They have a Round-of-16 game against Lyon followed by an away game at Sevilla.

The road to the second leg is much tougher for Barcelona. They will have to deal with Lyon and Sevilla before tackling Madrid. Barcelona would be hoping that they don't have much to do against Madrid in the second leg, so they can give rest to some players.

In this game, Real Madrid's lineup will remain more or less the same, but not Barcelona's. Two reasons. Real Madrid has the luxury to start their best players after resting them against Girona and Levante.

Second, Copa del Rey could be the only trophy that Real Madrid possibly wins this season and they would want that at any cost. At least, Real Madrid has no expectations in the league and can focus on two competitions.

We expect Semedo or Roberto to start the Clasico, based on who starts against Sevilla. Sevilla away from home is important for leaders Barcelona. The team would go full-on attack at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

We can expect Lenglet to be rested for the Clasico and maybe Murillo to take his place. Jordi Alba is the only left-back available as a realistic choice unless Barcelona has a good lead to start Miranda. Midfield. Vidal, Alena, Rakitic. Rest for Busquets maybe. Front three. This is where it changes.

Dembele will start for sure if he is fit. We expect Kevin-Prince Boateng to make his first Clasico start here. The schedule is too hectic to let Suarez play. If there is a good lead from the first leg, then Coutinho starts, else Messi does. We can also expect a 4-4-2 from Barcelona for this game. Sergi and Coutinho can act as wide midfielders.

Dani Ceballos is expected to be on the starting lineup in either one of the two legs. He will be closely monitored by Arthur.

Coming to Real Madrid, we can expect them to go at full strength here as well. They have the luxury and they can make the cup their priority. So this is the lineup. Varane and Ramos at centre-back, no changes unless Madrid wants to risk playing Nacho. Right-back, Carvajal again possibly but if Madrid leads from the first leg, maybe Odriozola.

Marcelo to continue at left-back. Marcos Llorente can have his first Clasico start alongside Modric and Ceballos. With another Clasico to follow which is in the league, Vinicius will play this one rather than in a competition where Madrid are unlikely to win a trophy.

Benzema has to be the #9 and right-wing will be Vazquez or Isco, based on what the coach thinks. Solari is showing no respect for Isco or his talent though.

Copa Del Rey Semi-Final II Leg Predicted Lineup

Barcelona XI: Cillessen, Sergi Roberto, Pique, Murillo, Alba, Rakitic, Vidal, Alena, Dembele, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Coutinho/Messi

Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Carvajal/Odriozola, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo, Marcos Llorente, Ceballos, Modric, Vazquez/Isco, Benzema, Vinicius Junior

Some random possibilities in the Clasico

1) Both the games will be high-intensity games and can break out of proportions for the referee to control. With the likes of Suarez, Ramos, Casemiro, and Pique on the pitch, this is nothing but playing with fire.

But it has to be said that Barcelona will be the bullies in the second-leg if the lineup matches the one which we predicted. Vidal and Kevin-Prince Boateng both love a good trash talk at opposition stadiums and take oppositions down in a fist-fight.

2) There might be no rotations at all from both the sides. We have given chances to slight rotations in our lineups but the bottom line doesn't change. This is El Clasico and these teams will rotate in Europe against Atletico and Sevilla rather than each other. So maybe it will be an all-out attack lineup for both sides.

3) Arthur and Ceballos might give us a look into the future of midfield battle. Both are extremely talented and have given really good performances, why not?

When you have these two together on the pitch, expect some fireworks, trash-talks and also crucial goals. Pique and Ramos are two of the greatest rivals, and also the greatest of defenders.

4) A goal for either of Pique and Sergio Ramos. Funny right? Well both of them love scoring, which is a fact so why not score in a Clasico? Pique has shown the tendency of going into his favourite centre forward position on a lot of occasions this season.

Well, it will be fun game guys. We as football fans cannot expect a better game than El Clasico. We'll have two of them now in the Copa Del Rey and three including the league game. But one more thing that is clear now is this. Everyone would have thought that Barcelona's priority lies in the league and UEFA Champions League.

Same way, with league out of hands, Madrid's focus is supposed to be on Champions League. Let us not be mistaken guys, the Copa Del Rey just became more than just a priority.

So at the end of the day, what do you expect? Expect football guys, just expect football.