La Liga’s biggest rivalry takes center stage on Sunday afternoon when Real Madrid host Barcelona in the 262nd edition of the Clásico.
In front of a sea of white jerseys at the Santiago Bernabéu, the two giants of Spanish football will face each other in the most anticipated match of the start of the 2025-2026 season. The reigning La Liga champions, led by Lamine Yamal, are set to face their bitter rivals, powered by Kylian Mbappé.
Recent results paint the heavyweight battle as a lopsided affair, with Barcelona coming away with four wins from four matches against Real Madrid last season. Hansi Flick’s men dominated their bitter rivals, scoring 16 goals in all competitions and winning a domestic treble at the expense of Los Blancos.
Yet Real Madrid look like a different team under Xabi Alonso, a team that sits at the top of the La Liga table thanks to eight wins in nine league matches. The Catalans are just two points behind, however, meaning this weekend’s Clásico could be the first big turning point in the race for the Spanish crown if either team secures a victory.
Here is Sports Illustrated La Liga fight guide.
FREE NEWSLETTER. New SI FC Global Embed newsletter. Sign up to be informed with SI FC. dark
Real Madrid vs Barcelona head-to-head record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Real Madrid |
Barcelona |
|---|---|
|
Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus – 10/22/25 |
Barcelona 6-1 Olympiacos – 10/21/25 |
|
Getafe 0-1 Real Madrid – 10/19/25 |
Barcelona 2-1 Girona – 10/18/25 |
|
Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal – 04/10/25 |
Sevilla 4-1 Barcelona – 10/5/25 |
|
Kairat 0–5 Real Madrid – 30/9/25 |
Barcelona 1–2 PSG – 01/10/25 |
|
Atlético Madrid 5-2 Real Madrid – 27/9/25 |
Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad – 09/28/25 |
|
Country |
Live TV/Streaming |
|---|---|
|
UNITED STATES |
ESPN+, ESPN2, ESPN Deports, fuboTV |
|
United Kingdom |
Premier Sports 1 |
|
Canada |
TSN, Prime Video, TSN3 |
|
Mexico |
Sky+, SkySports |
Real Madrid will suffer three huge injuries for Sunday’s affair. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen have all trained with the team in preparation for El Clásico and are expected to be available.
Ferland Mendy is also back after being called up for Los Blancos’ midweek clash with Juventus. It remains to be seen whether Alonso will want to start any of the returning defenders in such a heated match, but Huijsen is most likely to get the nod.
David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger remain in the infirmary, while Dani Ceballos is doubtful against Barcelona.
Predicted lineup of Real Madrid vs. Barcelona (4-1-2-3):Courteous; Valverde, Militão, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni; Bellingham, Guler; Mastantuono, Mbappé, Vinícius Junior.
Barcelona are in the midst of a vast injury crisis. Joan García, Marc-André ter Stegen, Gavi, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo are all stuck in the infirmary.
Raphinha was on course to return in time for the Clásico, but the Brazilian is expected to miss the all-important fixture after not training on Friday. Jules Koundé also remains doubtful after the full-back also missed training.
The good news for Flick is that Frenkie de Jong looks likely to recover from illness and should return to his place in midfield alongside Pedri.
Barcelona predicted lineup against Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Scczęsny; E. Garcia, Araújo, Cubasí, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Lopez, Rashford; Towers.
Recent Clásicos have rarely ended in shared points, but Real Madrid and Barcelona will not be in their best form for Sunday’s match due to injuries. With so many key players missing from both sides, it will be harder to tell the two rivals apart.
The match nevertheless promises goals, with players like Yamal, Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior on the pitch. Real Madrid’s makeshift defense, combined with Barcelona’s shaky backline, leaves the door open for superstar attackers to take center stage.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona
READ THE LATEST LA Liga NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND GOSSIP
