This Real Madrid vs Barcelona preview features a macth where tThe eyes of the football world turn to the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday for the first El Clásico of the 2025-26 La Liga season. This iconic fixture sees league leaders Real Madrid host second-placed Barcelona in a match that will have enormous implications for the title race, even at this early stage. Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid are in blistering form, winning their last eight consecutive home games and coming off a hard-fought 1-0 Champions League victory against Juventus.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, however, will travel to the capital with a point to prove. After sweeping all four Clásicos last season en route to a domestic treble, the Catalans have shown inconsistency this term, including a recent 4-1 league hammering by Sevilla. This match preview is defined by a clash of styles and significant injury concerns for both squads, making it a tantalizing and unpredictable betting spectacle.
Real Madrid Vs Barcelona match preview/Betting preview
Team Recent Form
Based on the last five results across all competitions, Real Madrid’s form has been stronger, though Barcelona is coming off a massive Champions League win.
Real Madrid: WWLWW
Barcelona: LWLWW
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Key Stats
- Bernabéu Fortress: Real Madrid are on a formidable streak, having won their last eight consecutive matches at the Santiago Bernabéu.
- Leaky Defenses, Potent Attacks: Both teams are struggling with key defensive injuries, but their attacks are firing. Barcelona scored six in midweek, while Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé has 15 goals in all competitions.
- Historic Rivalry: The official head-to-head record is incredibly tight. Real Madrid has 105 wins, Barcelona has 104, and there have been 52 draws, making this one of the most evenly-matched rivalries in history.
Correct Score Prediction
Our prediction is a 2-2 draw.
This match has all the ingredients for a high-scoring stalemate. Real Madrid’s attack, featuring Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham, is arguably the most potent in the world. They will be relentless at home. However, their defense is decimated, with Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba out, and Dean Huijsen a doubt. This forces midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni to likely drop into centre-back alongside Eder Militão.
Barcelona has the exact same problem but in reverse. Their attack is missing the talismanic Robert Lewandowski, but they proved they can cope by smashing six goals past Olympiacos, with Fermín López grabbing a hat-trick. Conversely, their goalkeeping situation is a crisis, with both Marc-André ter Stegen and Joan Garcia injured, forcing veteran Wojciech Szczęsny to deputise. Both teams are elite going forward and vulnerable at the back. Expect a classic, end-to-end El Clásico that ends with the points shared. For high-value odds on this draw, check out Betano.
Real Madrid Vs Barcelona H2H
- In 261 official competitive meetings, Real Madrid leads the rivalry by a single win (105 to 104), with 52 draws.9
- Despite Real Madrid’s historical edge, Barcelona won all four encounters last season under Hansi Flick.10
- Three of the last four official meetings have seen Over 2.5 goals scored.
- Kylian Mbappé has scored 15 goals in all competitions, while Jude Bellingham scored the winner against Juventus in midweek.
Pre-game Odds
- Real Madrid: 1.95
- Draw: 4.10
- Barcelona: 3.30
(Odds are subject to change. Check the latest odds on Betano)
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Team News Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso is facing a defensive crisis. Centre-backs Antonio Rüdiger (injury) and David Alaba (injury) are confirmed to be out. Dean Huijsen is a doubt after returning to training from a calf injury, meaning Aurélien Tchouaméni will likely partner Eder Militão in defense. On a positive note, captain Dani Carvajal, Dani Ceballos, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have all returned to training and should be available for the squad.12
Team News Barcelona
Hansi Flick, who is suspended for the match, has an even longer injury list. Goalkeepers Marc-André ter Stegen and Joan Garcia are both out, meaning Wojciech Szczęsny starts. In attack, Robert Lewandowski (hamstring) is out, alongside Dani Olmo and the recovering Gavi. Raphinha is in a race against time to be fit and missed training on Friday. However, Ferran Torres is fit to lead the line, and Fermín López is in red-hot form after a midweek hat-trick. Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen are also minor doubts after missing a recent training session.
Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1):
Courtois (GK); Carvajal, Militão, Tchouaméni, A. Carreras; Valverde, Bellingham; Guler, Vinicius Jr; Mbappé
Barcelona (4-2-3-1):
Szczęsny (GK); Koundé, Araújo, Cubarsí, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermín, Rashford; Torres14
Real Madrid Vs Barcelona betting tips
- Tip 1 – Result: Draw
- Tip 2 – Over/Under 2.5 goals: Over 3.5 goals
- Tip 3 – Both teams to score: Yes
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