By Kato Jamil
Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in the first El Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday (20:00 KO), live on Premier Sports 1 and LALIGATV.
The Catalans sit top of the La Liga table on 27 points, having won nine and lost one of their 10 matches, while second-placed Los Blancos remain unbeaten in the league and are just a victory behind their rivals.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona Team News
Madrid have suffered a couple of massive injury blows ahead of the contest, with Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo joining Dani Carvajal and David Alaba on the sidelines.
The news is more positive on Brahim Diaz, though, with the forward back in training and he could be included in the matchday squad.
Barcelona also have their injury issues, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen out for the season and Marc Bernal not expected back until May at the earliest.
Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia are also in the treatment room, but the Catalans have been boosted by the recent returns of Fermin Lopez, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo.
Predicted line-ups:
- Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Modric; Bellingham; Vinicius Jr, Mbappe
- Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Flick Set For First El Clasico Taste
German tactician Hansi Flick took the reins at Barca in the summer and he has enjoyed a strong start to the season, guiding the club to the summit of the Spanish top-flight and also recording two victories from three Champions League matches.
The Catalans head into Saturday’s contest on a four-game winning streak, the most recent of those victories a 4-1 hammering of Bayern Munich in Europe on Wednesday.
Former Germany boss Flick is now preparing for his first El Clasico and he will need to use all of his managerial experience to negotiate what is arguably the biggest fixture in domestic football.
Increased media attention, bragging rights, a rivalry beyond football, this fixture means so much to the two clubs involved and Flick, who knows a victory will put his side six points clear at the summit, must be fully aware of what is at stake here.
Opposite number Carlo Ancelotti knows all about the scrutiny that comes with this clash and his side can create history, if they avoid defeat.
A win or draw for Madrid will see them equal La Liga’s longest unbeaten run, a 43-game record that Barca set between 2017 and 2018.
Madrid last tasted defeat in the league at rivals Atletico Madrid in September 2023 and they have since racked up 31 victories and 11 draws, a run which helped propel them to La Liga glory last season.
Will they be able to avoid defeat on Saturday? Well, Los Blancos have won the last four meetings with the Blaugrana and that could give them the mental edge heading into this crucial contest.
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