Real Madrid aims to extend their lead to five points at the top of the La Liga standings when they host Barcelona at the Bernabeu this Sunday afternoon for the latest edition of El Clasico.
Currently, Los Blancos hold a two-point advantage over the second-placed Blaugrana at the top of the table, although both teams have suffered defeats in Spain’s premier division this season. This sets the stage for yet another intriguing clash between these fierce rivals.
Match preview
Real Madrid has been nearly flawless this season, achieving 11 victories out of 12 matches across all competitions, with their sole loss occurring away to Atletico Madrid at the end of September.
Xabi Alonso’s team has secured eight wins from their nine league encounters, accumulating 24 points to lead the table, two points ahead of Barcelona in second place. They recently achieved a 1-0 win over Getafe in La Liga.
In the Champions League, Los Blancos also triumphed 1-0 on Wednesday night, with Jude Bellingham scoring against Juventus, ensuring the capital club remains perfect in the group stage of the tournament.
Despite not being at their peak this season, Real Madrid has conceded nine goals in their nine matches. However, they rank as the second-highest scorers in Spain’s top division this season, netting 20 goals, which is four fewer than Barcelona.
Los Blancos have four more fixtures before the international break in November, starting with a home match against Valencia on November 1, followed by a crucial Champions League trip to Liverpool three days later. Alonso’s squad will then face Rayo Vallecano in the league on November 9.
In this upcoming match, Real Madrid will be seeking revenge, as Barcelona triumphed in all four encounters between the two teams last season across three competitions, including a remarkable 4-0 win at the Bernabeu last October.
Meanwhile, Barcelona also participated in Champions League action during the week, achieving a 6-1 victory over Olympiacos, thus returning to winning form in the competition, bringing their total to six points from their fixtures.
The Catalan team was taken aback by Sevilla prior to the international break in October, enduring a 4-1 loss. However, they successfully recovered against Girona last weekend, achieving a 2-1 victory, and subsequently scored six goals in their most recent Champions League match.
Barcelona’s other points dropped in La Liga this season occurred away against Rayo Vallecano at the end of August. Additionally, injury issues have posed challenges for the champions early in the season; their defense has also been less than secure, which raises concerns ahead of this upcoming match.
Hansi Flick’s squad is scheduled to play four more matches before the campaign is paused again in November, facing Elche and Celta Vigo surrounding a Champions League fixture away at Club Brugge.
On Sunday, Barcelona will once more look to Lamine Yamal for motivation, but he will require support from his teammates, as the Catalan team is expected to be without several key forwards at Bernabeu.
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Real Madrid La Liga form:
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Real Madrid form (all competitions):
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Barcelona La Liga form:
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Team News
Real Madrid may see the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold, DanI Carvajal, and Dean Huijsen to their squad for the match on Sunday; however, Antonio Rudiger is confirmed to be sidelined due to a significant muscular injury.
David Alaba will also be absent again because of a groin issue, but Dani Ceballos might make his comeback, while Los Blancos have not encountered any new problems leading up to this highly anticipated match.
Given the uncertainty in defense, Federico Valverde is expected to remain at right-back, with Raul Asencio positioned in the center – the latter had to leave the game late against Juventus but was only experiencing cramp.
Bellingham netted his first goal of the season against Juventus, and the England international will aim to join an attacking lineup that is likely to feature Franco Mastantuono, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior.
Joan Garcia, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Robert Lewandowski, and Dani Olmo are confirmed to miss the match, which means Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, and Marcus Rashford could make up the attacking trio behind Ferran Torres.
Ronald Araujo is anticipated to play in the central defense alongside Pau Cubarsi if Kounde is unavailable, with Eric Garcia possibly needed at right-back.
Real Madrid’s potential starting lineup:
Courtois; Valverde, Militao, Asencio, Carreras; Guler, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius
Barcelona’s potential starting lineup:
Szczesny; E Garcia, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Fermin, Rashford; Ferran
Head-to-Head
Total matches: 261
Real Madrid won: 105
Barcelona won: 104
Draws: 52
Our prediction: Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona
This match is notoriously challenging to predict; however, Real Madrid will be favored given that it takes place at the Bernabeu, especially considering Barcelona’s injury concerns.
