FC Barcelona Vs Real Madrid Preview: Barca Eyeing to extend their La Liga dominance

Coming off a series of dominant displays, with the most recent one coming against Bayern, FC Barcelona seem ready to face Real Madrid in the season's first El Clasico. However, given the form in which Los Blancos has been, it would certainly not be an easy fixture for FC Barcelona either. Carlo Ancelotti's side coming in with a load of superstars—Kylian Mbbappe, Vini Jr., Bellingham, Fede Valverde, and others—would be on a mission to protect their fortress, as Flick's unstoppable Barca eyes to extend its lead at La Liga tabletop.

FC Barcelona Vs Real Madrid Preview

FC Barcelona is set to face off against Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the season on October 26, 2024, at 19:00 UTC at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Given the form Hansi Flick's Barca side has been, they wouldn't enter the fixture being the inferiors, if not the favorites, considering Madrid's home advantage. Having excelled in their recent games against Bayern and Sevilla on all fronts, FC Barcelona would want to continue the same, as they wish to continue their dominance this season.

While, as has been El Clasico's history, the fixture has been one of the most decorated clashes in football history, it seems that it's going to be a lot more special this time. Currently, Ancelotti's Real Madrid is on an invincible La Liga streak of 42 games, with the record being 43, held by Barca, and with this clash, the Catalan Giants have the best opportunity to protect their record.

FC Barcelona Team news

With Barca's star players, Dani Olmo, Gavi, and Fermin Lopez, having returned after the international break, the squad feels much closer to its full strength now. However, the club still misses ace defender Ronald Araujo, forward star Ferran Torres, and versatile ace Christensen, apart from the absence of Marc Andre Ter Stegen and Marc Bernal due to long-term injuries.

Moreover, there could be chances that pivot star Eric Garcia sees a return to the available squad after having been sidelined due to discomfort. Although chances look scarce for the Spanish star to start in Barca's competitive lineup with Pedri and Casado starring in the pivot role, Garcia's presence can be a crucial boost to the club's squad strength.

Predicted FC Barcelona lineup Vs Real Madrid (4-2-1-3 formation): Inaki Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Fermin; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha

Real Madrid Team news

Carlo Ancelotti's men would be seen up against FC Barcelona without the presence of their two superstars, ace keeper Thibaut Courtois and wing star Rodrygo. Although the Galacticos possess enough talent to cover the two roles, with Andriy Lunin and Camavinga moving into the starting XI, the absence of the two would certainly be elemental in the fixture's overall result.

Moreover, the fixture can see Real Madrid's prodigy ace Brahim Diaz making a return as he becomes available for lineup selection for the El Clasico. Given the form the Moroccan star was in the last few games before injury, Brahim could definitely be detrimental to FC Barcelona, for whom the side needs to be planned accordingly.

Predicted Real Madrid lineup Vs FC Barcelona (4-3-1-2 formation): Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappe

Scoreline Prediction

Considering the form of both the two clubs recently, FC Barcelona certainly enjoys a significant advantage in the fixture; however, Real Madrid, on the other side, has won the clash four times consecutively. But as they had done in the preseason, defying the pattern, Flick's Barca would edge past the hosts at the Bernabeu, registering yet another impressive 2-1 scoreline.