El Clasico: Real Madrid vs Barcelona Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions

The footballing world will come to a standstill on Saturday 26 October as Real Madrid and Barcelona renew their long-standing rivalry in the first El Clasico of the new season at the Santiago Bernabeu. Playing at their fortress – where they went the entire of last season unbeaten – Madrid are the favourites heading into the clash. But it is Barcelona who lead the La Liga standings, with a three-point advantage over their rivals.  

The teams shared the pitch in a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign. Both were without several of their star players, and it was Barcelona who came out 2-1 winners in front of an American audience, thanks to a brace from Pau Victor. Now with points and bragging rights at stake, with the sides neck and neck in the league, we should be in for an epic contest. 

Real Madrid: Current Form – WWDWW

Real Madrid have made a fine start to the 2024/25 season, picking up 24 points from 30 available. Carlo Ancelotti’s men are second in the La Liga standings with four points above city rivals Atletico Madrid and three behind leaders Barcelona. Los Blancos have registered seven wins and three draws in the league, while they have a 100 percent win record at home.  

Madrid head into Saturday’s mammoth clash with Barca having won their last five home games in La Liga. They have dropped points at the Bernabeu on just four occasions – all draws – in 29 league games, recording 25 wins. Their last home defeat came in the 2022/23 season when they were stunned 3-2 by Villarreal.  

Key Players to Watch

Kylian Mbappe: All eyes will be on the French superstar as he looks to make a big impression in his first Clasico. Mbappe is Real’s top scorer this season with six goals – four of them coming at the Bernabeu – and he’ll be looking to showcase his extraordinary talent on the big stage.  

Vinicius Junior: The pacey Brazilian forward has scored in each of Madrid’s last two league matches and was on the scoresheet in Real’s last two meetings with Barca. Vinicius has scored seven times in the Clasico, including a hat-trick in the Super Cup at the start of the year.  

Federico Valverde: While Mbappe and Vinicius mostly make the headlines, Valverde is the unsung hero in the team. The Uruguayan often goes unnoticed, but he is highly dependable and key to the side. Valverde is the only player to start every game for Los Blancos this season.  

Real Madrid Team News

Real Madrid will continue to be without their influential right-back, Dani Carvajal. The 32-year-old had a knee operation after suffering a cruciate ligament injury against Villarreal earlier this month.  

David Alaba, who hasn’t featured in 10 months with a severe ACL problem, will also miss out. Meanwhile, Brahim Diaz could be fit to return to the squad. The Moroccan has been out of action since sustaining a muscle injury in his right abductor against Real Sociedad last month.