La Liga
Real Madrid Vs Barcelona Preview: Lineups, Form, And What To Expect In El Clásico 2025
On Sunday afternoon, the eyes of the footballing world will once again turn to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid host arch-rivals Barcelona in the first El Clásico of the 2025/26 LaLiga season, and the stakes could hardly be higher.
This is more than just another chapter in football’s greatest rivalry it’s a direct duel for top spot in the table. Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid leads the league with 24 points from a possible 27, while Hansi Flick’s injury-hit Barcelona sits just two points behind.
Real Madrid Flying Under Alonso
Few coaches have stamped their identity on Real Madrid as quickly as Xabi Alonso. His side has been a fascinating blend of tactical intelligence and attacking dynamism, dominating possession while maintaining lethal efficiency in front of goal.
Madrid’s only loss so far was the shock 5-2 defeat to Atlético Madrid, a result that left deep scars in the dressing room. Alonso will surely use that painful night at the Metropolitano as fuel ahead of Sunday’s clash.
The good news for Madrid fans is that Jude Bellingham is fit again. The Englishman has made a habit of tormenting Barcelona.
And then there’s Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman has hit the ground running, sitting comfortably atop the scoring charts with 10 goals at least four more than anyone else in the league.
His pace and precision make him the biggest threat to Barcelona’s patched-up defence, particularly against the high line that Flick loves to deploy.
Barcelona’s Injury Headache
Barcelona, meanwhile, arrives in Madrid battling a long list of absentees.
Hansi Flick’s side will likely be without Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Gavi, and goalkeeper Joan García.
Frenkie de Jong has recently returned to training after illness, but his fitness remains a doubt
Despite these challenges, the Catalans have proven remarkably resilient. They’ve won every Clásico they’ve played since 2024, including the Copa del Rey final, and continue to lead the league in several key metrics: goals scored (24), shots (190), and passing accuracy (90%).
A lot of that attacking rhythm comes from Pedri, whose 820 completed passes and 22 chances created underline his status as the creative heartbeat of this team.
If Real can stifle his influence, they might just gain control of midfield and, by extension, the match itself.
Real’s Defensive Woes
For all of Alonso’s attacking qualities, Real Madrid’s backline is a major concern. The club’s defensive unit has been ravaged by injuries, with Dean Huijsen, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and David Alaba all ruled out.
That forced Fede Valverde to fill in at right-back, while Álvaro Carreras has been pushed into a makeshift left-back role. Alaba’s latest setback leaves Éder Militão as the only natural senior centre-back available.
To compensate, Alonso has relied on the tireless trio of Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Eduardo Camavinga to offer both defensive cover and midfield aggression.
Rashford’s Moment to Shine
On the other side, Marcus Rashford has been thriving on loan at Barcelona. The English forward’s speed and directness have given Flick’s side a different edge, and his performances have been so impressive that the club is already considering making the move permanent.
A goal or assist in El Clásico the biggest club fixture in world football would only strengthen that case.
Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal, now fully fit, will relish another chance to test Real Madrid’s makeshift defence. The 18-year-old has already shown he’s unafraid of the biggest stages, and his duel with Ferland Mendy or Valverde on the right flank could define the rhythm of Barcelona’s attacks.
Trends and Numbers
Statistics suggest this will be another high-scoring contest. The last six Clásicos have all produced at least four goals, with Barcelona scoring four or more in each of their last four wins against Madrid.
Real Madrid are most dangerous in the 15 minutes before half-time, scoring six goals in that period.
Barcelona, meanwhile, does its best work in the 15 minutes after the break and the closing stages, where it’s also scored six times.
It’s also worth noting that neither team has lost a match this season after scoring first, but both have lost when conceding first. In other words, the opening goal could decide everything.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3–2 Barcelona
