Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Tips, Odds, and Match Preview

Another season, another El Clásico, but this carries some extra weight. Not only is the showdown at the Bernabeu the first meeting between Real and Barcelona this La Liga campaign, it’s also a clash of two teams firmly rooted at the top of the table.

Los Merengues lead the pack with eight wins and one loss, but they can feel the Braugrana breathing down their necks with only 2 points behind. While the 261st competitive El Clásico won’t decide the title just yet, it will give us a snapshot of where the Spanish giants stand right now.

Alonso’s First Clásico

This has to be the toughest test for Xabi Alonso as Madrid manager to date. Los Blancos may hold a two-point cushion over their arch rivals, but losing his first El Clásico would shift the mood at the Bernabeu from quiet optimism to utter dejection, particularly after that dreadful defeat in the Madrileño (5:2).

All good otherwise. Real Madrid plays expansive football on the wings of Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior, scoring freely in La Liga and winning all three games in the UCL (last was against Juve 1:0). The problem? Barca has won the last four Clásicos, including two in a row at the Bernabeu, and Florentino Perez needs his bragging rights back as soon as possible.

Real Madrid Injury & Suspension News

Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dean Huijsen could be available, if starting only from the bench. On a more negative note, David Alaba is set to miss the Sunday Clásico with a persistent muscle injury, while Antonio Rüdiger and Ferland Mendy remain long-term absentees.

Injury-Stricken Barca

The Blaugrana have stumbled slightly after an impressive season opening, losing half of their last four. Coming second-best in two consecutive games (against Sevilla in La Liga and PSG in the Champions League) did raise the alarm bells, but the crisis was stalled by a last-gasp Ronald Araújo winner against battle-hardened Girona. Something clicked that day, and Barca went on to put six past Olympiacos in the Champions League mid-week.

Still, Hansi Flick continues to wrestle with striking the right balance between tactical solidity and attacking fluidity. A task made tougher by the fact that Lamine Yamal isn’t at his scintillating best, and players like Olmo and Lewandowski are yet to return to action.

Barca Injury & Suspension News

The Blaugrana has five players who are likely to miss the game: Lewandowski, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Ter Stegen, and Joan García. But oddly enough, Barca’s biggest matchday concert is the man himself, coach Hansi Flick, who’s been suspended after receiving a second yellow in the Girona game. On a positive note, Raphinha completed the last training session and could feature in El Clásico.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona Prediction

To no one’s surprise, my prediction is goals. Lots of them. The last 11 El Clásicos ended with three or more in the net, while the three games in 2025 have a combined goal total of 19.

Away from goals, neither team is looking more fluid at the moment, which is the main El Clásico currency since the days of Johan Cruyff and Di Stefano. As a result, this could be one of the most unpredictable Real-Barca matchups in recent memory.

CryptoGamba tip: Over 3.5 goals – 1.81 @Metaspins