It’s El Clásico time as Real Madrid and Barcelona meet with first place in LaLiga on the line. Los Blancos leads the league by just two points, but Xabi alonso is looking to stop a losing streak of five matches to Barcelona. Barcelona won the LaLiga last season, and victories over Real Madrid played a crucial role in securing that title. Not only did they give them points on the table, but also the psychological blows of losing the match were significant. Lamine Yamal has already thrown barbs at Real Madrid, saying that the last time he visited the Bernebeau Barcelona won 4-0. But the young star must back up his words. Time: 11:15 a.m. ETLocation: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu — Madrid, SpainTV: ESPN2 | Time: 11:15 a.m. ETLocation: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu — Madrid, SpainTV: ESPN2 | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)Odds: Real Madrid -115; Draw +340; Barcelona +250Last meetingIf this match is anything like when these two last met in May near the end of the LaLiga season, we’re all in for a treat. Real Madrid took the lead in the first fifteen minutes with a pair of goals from Kylian Mbappe. Then, Barcelona came back to win. Barcelona scored four first-half goals, including Raphinha’s brace. HistoryThis will be the 262nd competitive match between these two teams. Barcelona’s win would even the series, which currently has 105 Real Madrid victories, 104 Barcelona victories, and 52 draws. Real Madrid will be without David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger for the match. Since neither of them has been the Madrid’s first choice in the defensive line, this only makes the bench less strong. Hansi Flick is missing four starters for his Barcelona team. Joan Garcia and Marc Andre Ter Stegen both miss out on the match, leaving Hansi Flick with only his third choice goalkeeper. Gavi and Dani Olmo will also be missing in the midfield. Raphinha and Lewandowski will lead the attack. This forces a rethink of the Barcelona attack. Yamal and Marcus Rashford are key in determining Barcelona’s success. Predicted lineupsReal Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Alvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, Eder Militao, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Franco Mastantuono, Arda Guler, Vinicius Junior, Kylian MbappeBarcelona: Wojciech Szczesny, Alejandro Balde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Marcus Rashford, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Ferran TorresPlayer to watchMarcus Rashford, Barcelona: Without Lewandowski, all eyes will be on Rashford’s performance. Since joining Manchester United this summer, Rashford has started to find his form. He’s had five goals and six assist in just 12 appearances. Rashford can be deployed on the left side or striker and has been a great addition to Flick, helping the team stay afloat despite their current injury crisis. Rashford will have to keep up his scoring streak against Real Madrid, as he is in good form. Flick has had faith in the English forward and it has paid off, but he’ll need more to keep things going.PredictionBarcelona’s injuries will prove to be too much to overcome in this match. Real Madrid can break the offside rule, which is what allows Mbappe’s brace to happen in his home ground. Real Madrid can win this game and gain a five-point advantage over LaLiga. This will pave the way for them to win the title. Pick: Real Madrid 3, Barcelona 1
2025-10-26 01:25:47
