Prediction: Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

With the El Classico stealing centre stage this weekend, Barcelona will welcome Real Madrid to Catalonia on Saturday afternoon.

Barcelona

Starting with the hosts, making real La Liga history last season as they got their hands on a first La Liga crown since 2019, Barcelona have once again impressed this time around. Last seen earlier in the week making it three Champions League victories on the spin as they claimed a 2-1 win against Shakhtar Donetsk, some have even tipped Xavi’s squad as a potential European dark horse this year. Signing off September with a gritty 1-0 victory against Sevilla on home soil, the Spanish champions are unbeaten in each of their first 13 straight appearances across all competitions. Getting proceedings with a 2-0 win against Cadiz on August 20th, Barcelona have also gained a reputation for their extended success in Catalonia. In fact, on what has become a remarkable flurry, Xavi’s side have suffered just a single domestic defeat in front of their own supporters from their previous 24 outings – a run that stems all the way back to May 2022.

Team News

While many around Catalonia might have been concerned to see summer recruit Joao Felix limp off against Shakhtar while on Champions League duties in midweek, the Atletico Madrid loanee should be given the green light to feature on Saturday afternoon. Despite serving a European suspension, 17-year-old Javi will make a full return here.

However, in what looks set to be a major blow this weekend, Barcelona are expected to once again be without attacking talisman Robert Lewandowski. Xavi’s side will also be unable to call upon the likes of Sergi Roberto, Pedri and former Leeds star Raphinha.

Real Madrid

As for the visitors, extending on their Champions League romp earlier in the week as they claimed a 2-1 victory away at Braga, Real Madrid certainly appear to be firing on all cylinders since opening up the 2023/24 campaign. While Carlo Ancelotti’s side might have been forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate against Sevilla on their return from October’s international break last weekend, Los Blancos do still find themselves leading the chase at the top of the La Liga table. Coming under plenty of domestic scrutiny last season as they eventually missed out on defending their top-flight crown by a 10-point deficit, the one-time AC Milan boss has seen his superstar squad come roaring back this time around. Heading into the fortnight interval with a routine 4-0 victory at home against Osasuna, Real Madrid have lost just one of their first 13 appearances across all competitions. Enjoying what has been quite the free-scoring run so far this season, Ancelotti’s side will travel to Catalonia on Saturday afternoon looking to make a heavyweight statement.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Real Madrid will be without the duo of Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois this weekend. However, despite missing out against Braga in midweek through illness, Los Blancos are confident that ex-Newcastle misfit Joselu will be able to make his return on Saturday afternoon.

Bagging what turned out to be the winner out in Portugal on Tuesday night, the red-hot Jude Bellingham will once again have a leading role to play in Catalonia. Already notching eight La Liga strikes in his first nine appearances, the 20-year-old will be joined in attack by Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two Spanish rivals last met in La Liga action on March 19th, Barcelona picked up a 2-1 victory at the Nou Camp.
• However, Real Madrid have won five of their other six previous La Liga showdowns.
• Five of their previous six top-flight battles have finished with both teams getting on the scoresheet.
• Los Blancos have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous four La Liga trips to Catalonia.
• The last six La Liga meetings between Barcelona and Real Madrid have produced 20 goals at both ends of the pitch.

Conclusion

With the first El Classico of the season set to steal most of Europe’s attention this weekend, neutrals could be treated to another action-packed affair on Saturday afternoon. In a historic rivalry that tends to produce plenty of fireworks, both camps will be looking to make their own respective statements in Catalonia. Two sides who open this weekend’s fixtures sat just a single point apart in the La Liga standings, we certainly have a heavyweight battle on our hands here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Luckster