The first El Clásico of the 2025/26 season takes centre stage this weekend as Real Madrid welcome arch-rivals FC Barcelona to the Santiago Bernabéu in a clash that could shape the La Liga title race.
Los Blancos currently lead the standings with 24 points from nine matches, having recorded eight wins and just one defeat so far. Their most recent league outing ended in a narrow 1-0 victory away to Getafe, courtesy of a Kylian Mbappé strike. Madrid also claimed a 1-0 win against Juventus in the Champions League midweek, with Jude Bellingham providing the decisive goal.
Barcelona trail their rivals by just two points, sitting second on 22 points with a record of seven wins, one draw, and one loss. The Catalans head into this fixture full of confidence after a 6-1 demolition of Olympiacos in the Champions League, where Fermin López netted a hat-trick, Marcus Rashford grabbed a brace, and Lamine Yamal scored from the penalty spot. In their last La Liga encounter, Barcelona edged Girona 2-1 at home.
The previous El Clásico in May saw Barcelona edge Real Madrid 4-3 at the Camp Nou, while the last league meeting at the Bernabéu ended in a resounding 4-0 victory for the visitors, with Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha on target.
Team News
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has been boosted by the return of several first-team players from injury, including captain Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and Dani Ceballos. However, defenders Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba remain sidelined.
Alonso has opted for Federico Valverde to continue at right-back, with Huijsen partnering Éder Militão in central defence. In midfield, Madrid could line up with a flexible setup featuring Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, and Arda Güler, supporting attacking duo Vinícius Jr. and Mbappé.
Real Madrid Starting XI
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Álvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, Éder Militão, Federico Valverde
Midfielders: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, Eduardo Camavinga
Forwards: Vinícius Jr., Kylian Mbappé
FC Barcelona Starting XI
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczęsny
Defenders: Alejandro Balde, Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Jules Koundé
Midfielders: Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin López
Forwards: Marcus Rashford, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal
Barcelona face significant injury setbacks, with Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen, Joan García, and Marc-André ter Stegen all unavailable. However, Ferran Torres returns to the squad after recovering from injury.
What’s at Stake
A victory for Real Madrid would see them move five points clear at the summit, strengthening their title credentials early in the season. For Barcelona, a win on enemy territory would not only close the gap but also extend their impressive run in El Clásico matches at the Bernabéu.
As Europe turns its attention to Madrid tonight, another thrilling chapter is set to unfold in one of football’s most storied rivalries.
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