The final El Clasico of the season is set for Sunday as Barcelona hosts Real Madrid in a match holding significant weight for the La Liga title race. Barcelona currently sits four points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the table, putting them in a commanding position with just four games left in the season. Considering Hansi Flick`s side has already defeated their rivals three times this season, Sunday`s fixture might seem to favor Barcelona. However, questions linger about Barcelona`s readiness after their recent dramatic 7-6 aggregate loss to Inter in the UEFA Champions League semifinals.
The gap between first and second place in La Liga is just narrow enough to allow for the possibility of Real Madrid securing a victory on Sunday, a result that would intensify the title race heading into the final matches. This game is also crucial for Los Blancos, as the La Liga title represents their last chance to avoid ending the season without a trophy, a particularly notable point in what is anticipated to be Carlo Ancelotti`s final season in charge.
Key Information
Details regarding the match date, time, location, and odds were previously provided.
Last Meeting
These rivals last faced off just two weeks prior in Seville for the Copa del Rey final, which Barcelona won in a thrilling 3-2 encounter. Pedri initially put Barcelona ahead in the 28th minute, but goals from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni gave Real Madrid the lead by the 77th minute. However, only seven minutes later, Ferran Torres equalized, sending the game into extra time. The deciding goal came with just four minutes left, courtesy of Jules Kounde. The match concluded in controversy as several Real Madrid players disputed a refereeing decision, leading to red cards for Jude Bellingham, Lucas Vazquez, and Antonio Rudiger. Rudiger subsequently received a six-match ban for throwing an object at the referee and is currently serving this suspension.
Barcelona`s Perspective
Barcelona`s pursuit of a treble for the first time in a decade ended after their disappointing Champions League exit. This raises a significant question before Sunday`s Clasico: are they prepared for another major challenge? Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Saturday, Flick stated that Barcelona has successfully shifted focus to the upcoming task in the days following their defeat in Milan.
“After the defeat in Milan, everyone knows it`s not easy after the match, but we`re doing great,” Flick commented. “We discussed this and what we aim to achieve in the next two weeks. We have four matches left. Of course, the Clasico is tomorrow, and it`s very important to demonstrate our capability again. Everyone knows that in the Clasico, you must perform at your highest level. We want to be proactive, display intensity on the pitch, and be dominant as usual. We know Real is a fantastic team, but we are at home with our fans. Real will push hard for the win, as will we. I`m not concerned about the table right now. We must win. We want to win. This is our mindset, our approach. This is how we will approach the match. We are focused solely on this game.”
Just as in recent weeks, Barcelona is expected to have some players sidelined. While Robert Lewandowski recently returned from a brief injury absence, the situation might be similar for Alejandro Balde.
“For starting, I don`t believe the timing is right for them,” Flick explained. “Ferran [Torres] in attack and Gerard [Martin] at left-back have been performing very well. Seeing Gerard play in a Champions League semifinal is truly impressive. [Marc] Casado is also available. But we need to be cautious. We have three more league games after the match against Madrid. Tomorrow is more likely for them to come on in the second half.”
Real Madrid`s Perspective
As has been the case for several weeks, Real Madrid enters another match amidst ongoing speculation regarding Carlo Ancelotti`s future. Reports suggest the Italian manager may leave the club, potentially to join the Brazil national team before the 2026 World Cup. However, Ancelotti insisted that the uncertainty has not impacted the players` preparations for El Clasico.
“Preparing for these matches isn`t very complicated because there`s no need to motivate the players,” Ancelotti said during his Saturday press conference. “You just need to provide them with the clearest possible tactical ideas. What`s happening externally hasn`t affected us at all this week. We are in good shape and very confident. No issues.”
Ancelotti also took the opportunity to commend Xabi Alonso, a former Real Madrid player and the outgoing Bayer Leverkusen coach, who is widely expected to succeed Ancelotti in the near future.
“I`ve heard he`s leaving Leverkusen, where he did an outstanding job,” Ancelotti commented. “All opportunities are open to him because he has demonstrated himself to be among the world`s top coaches.”
Predicted Lineups
Barcelona
- Wojciech Szczesny
- Eric Garcia
- Pau Cubarsi
- Inigo Martinez
- Gerard Martin
- Frenkie de Jong
- Pedri
- Lamine Yamal
- Dani Olmo
- Raphinha
- Ferran Torres
Real Madrid
- Thibaut Courtois
- Lucas Vazquez
- Aurelien Tchouameni
- Raul Asencio
- Fran Garcia
- Dani Ceballos
- Federico Valverde
- Rodrygo
- Jude Bellingham
- Vinicius Junior
- Kylian Mbappe
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona: Lamine Yamal is rapidly becoming the go-to answer for this type of question, remarkably establishing himself as a cornerstone of Barcelona`s success at just 17 years old. Flick`s team might be without Lewandowski for a significant portion of this game, but recent weeks have reinforced that Yamal is more than capable of leading the team`s attack, both by setting up teammates and finding the back of the net himself. He has contributed 15 goals and 20 assists this season, including two of each in the three previous Clasicos. The teenager`s contribution will be particularly valuable given Barcelona`s notable defensive vulnerabilities, an issue they often overcome by outscoring opponents, including Real Madrid – they have scored 12 goals to their rivals` four so far this campaign.
Storyline to Watch
Can Barcelona maintain their lead?: Barcelona`s talent is undeniable, as is their strong record against a less-than-impressive Real Madrid this season. The major question is whether this will hold true after their Champions League elimination, but it`s not the only variable heading into Sunday`s Clasico. Inter`s midweek victory might not have exposed Barcelona`s defensive flaws, which have been evident throughout the season, but the Champions League finalists were perhaps the first team to truly punish them for it. This scenario is theoretically ideal for Real Madrid, who possess attackers like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, players capable of exploiting a fragile defense. However, this is where Real Madrid has struggled this season – they have shown a lack of balance in their new `Galacticos` era and have limited end product to show for it. The final Clasico of the season presents an opportunity for one of these teams to make a definitive statement, but it`s also possible that neither side has enough energy left to truly do so.
Prediction
It`s not impossible for Real Madrid to reverse their unfavorable record against Barcelona this season, especially given the stakes. However, Barcelona`s defensive issues are mirrored by their opponents – Ancelotti`s side will be missing Rudiger, likely forcing Aurelien Tchouameni into a makeshift center-back role alongside the relatively inexperienced Raul Ascensio, which could create complications.
Even if the defensive problems balance out, Barcelona still holds an advantage in attack. Despite the individual quality on Madrid`s roster, they haven`t managed to make it all click consistently yet. As for Barcelona, they have demonstrated an ability to score goals even without Lewandowski – netting 12 in five games recently. Provided they are up for the challenge, they should be able to showcase their attacking strengths again on Sunday.
Predicted Score: Barcelona 3, Real Madrid 1
Adrian Whitmore 
Benedict Kingsley