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The long-awaited El Clasico returns this Saturday, with Real Madrid set to host archrival Barcelona in a high-stakes La Liga clash. Madrid, reigning champions of Spain, will seek to close the three-point gap Barcelona currently holds. Under new head coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona has shown remarkable form, with only two losses this season. But history favors Madrid in this fixture; the capital side has triumphed in their last four Clasico encounters, with last season seeing two thrilling wins powered by Jude Bellingham’s late heroics. As both teams head into the weekend on the heels of Champions League wins, they’re primed for yet another memorable battle at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Match Details
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
- Date: Saturday, 26 October 2024
- Kick-off Time: 00:45 NST | 15:00 ET | 12:00 PT
- Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez
- VAR Official: Alejandro Muniz Ruiz
Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
- Real Madrid: 4 wins
- Barcelona: 1 win
- Draws: 0
Real Madrid Team News
Madrid's thrilling 5-2 comeback win over Borussia Dortmund midweek came at a cost, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and winger Rodrygo sustaining injuries that will see them sidelined for the coming weeks. Coach Carlo Ancelotti may lean on a 4-3-1-2 formation, likely deploying Andriy Lunin between the posts to replace Courtois, while Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe lead the front line. Madrid’s defense remains weakened with David Alaba and Dani Carvajal still unavailable, though Brahim Diaz may make a bench appearance after a month-long absence.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-3-1-2):
- Goalkeeper: Lunin
- Defenders: Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy
- Midfielders: Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga
- Attacking Midfielder: Bellingham
- Forwards: Vinicius, Mbappe
Barcelona Team News
Despite a stellar start to the season, Barcelona grapples with numerous absences, especially in defense. Key players like Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen are set to miss out. However, Flick can count on crucial midfield returns, with Dani Olmo and Gavi recently reintegrated. Raphinha, fresh from his midweek hat-trick against Bayern, will likely start alongside Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and Fermin Lopez in an exciting front four.
Barcelona Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Pena
- Defenders: Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde
- Midfielders: Casado, Pedri
- Forwards: Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha, Lewandowski