Real Madrid vs Barcelona Betting Preview: Odds & Predictions 

The footballing calendar has several dates that every football fan looks out for, and the date of El Clasico is one of those. Real Madrid and Barcelona – both on the back of outstanding Champions League wins – face off at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday evening, in a match full of promise to entertain.

Kick-off for this game is on the 26th of October at 21:00 CET.

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Real Madrid vs Barcelona Insights

When it comes to footballing fireworks, this is a fixture full of promise. As is often the case when this fixture comes round, it is first and second facing off. 

After ten matches, the La Liga table is starting to take shape. Barcelona will look to consolidate top spot, while Real Madrid – unbeaten in La Liga so far – will have eyes on pulling level at the summit with their old rivals, currently sitting three points behind them. Overtaking their rivals, however, could prove tricky, with goal difference meaning a large swing in Real’s favor would be required.

Brazilian brilliance shone through for both sides in their respective midweek fixtures. Vinicius Jr. netted a hat-trick for Real Madrid to inspire their comeback from 2-0 down against Borussia Dortmund, with Los Blancos romping to a 5-2 victory. For Barcelona, it was Raphinha – in the form of his career with 17 goals and assists in 13 games this season – who shone the brightest, leading Barcelona to a 4-1 victory over fellow European giants Bayern München at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

With the likes of Raphinha in their attacking ranks, along with the talent of Lamine Yamal and the evergreen quality of the experienced Robert Lewandowski, you’d be hard-pushed to find a more potent frontline in European football right now. Between them, they’ve scored 29 goals and assisted 15 so far this season, and look stronger as each game passes. 

Eyes were also drawn to Marc Casado midweek with his outstanding assist for Raphinha. The 21-year-old was thrown into the Barca line-up after several injuries earlier this season and has shone ever since, with his midweek performance solidifying why he should be in the side. 

Then you look at Real Madrid. When it comes to star quality, you can never look past Los Blancos because usually, they have it in every position. That’s no different for Carlo Ancelotti this season. Kylian Mbappe leads the line, with Vinicius Jr alongside him as part of another potent front three. 

Mbappe has netted eight goals so far for Real, providing two assists. He’s also tasted success against Barca in the past and has found the net on six occasions against them in four games, coming out on the losing side in only one of those fixtures. Vinicius Jr has registered 15 goals and assists in 14 games so far, and has the tendency to do the business when the pressure is on in big games.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona Team News

Real Madrid look set to be without two key players for El Clasico this weekend. Goalkeeper Thibault Courtois and Rodrygo both made way against Borussia Dortmund with muscle strains, with the latter undergoing further tests to assess the severity of his injury. It is thought, however, that he’ll be back to face Valencia next weekend. Ancelotti will also have to make do without Daniel Alaba and Dani Carvajal for the match, giving him further selection headaches. 

Andriy Lunin is expected to deputize in goal, but it’s in the attacking third that the Real Madrid boss will need to make big decisions. Jude Bellingham could come into the front three alongside Vinicius Jr and Mbappe, though it could force Ancelotti into taking a risk by putting Aurelien Tchouameni into the midfield alongside Eduardo Camavinga. With Tchouameni only recently returning from injury, it may be a risk the Real manager may not want to take.

For Hansi Flick and Barcelona, there are still some major absentees. Andreas Christensen, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ronald Araujo will all miss out. 

They will be boosted by the midweek return of Fermín López, who managed 61 minutes and two assists against Bayern München. They will also have Frenkie De Jong and Gavi back in contention, while Dani Olmo is also earmarked for more involvement in El Clasico. 

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals, Barcelona win @ 4.535

Other La Liga football betting tips:

Mallorca face Athletic Bilbao on Monday night, as fifth and sixth take each other on. The two have identical records going into the game – five wins, two draws, and three defeats apiece – with only goal difference separating them. Mallorca will have the advantage of not playing in Europe ahead of the game, with Bilbao taking on Slavia Praha in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Bilbao’s league form, however, is impressive with their European commitments considered, with only one defeat in their previous six games. Mallorca have only lost a game more in that same period, though don’t have the added European fixtures to consider. Back Athletic Bilbao to come out on top in this one, with both teams to score at 6.630.

At the bottom end of the division, Getafe host bottom-placed Valencia. Getafe come into the game with just one defeat in their last five – to unbeaten Barcelona – though they do struggle to shut teams out completely, having kept only one clean sheet in those games. However, if they are to concede, it’s generally only once in a game. Valencia have kept three clean sheets in their last five games, though have a tendency to ship goals in the odd game, conceding three to Real Sociedad and Las Palmas. Back a draw with under 2.5 goals in the game @ 3.680.

*The odds provided above are from our Edge platform and are subject to change. These odds are accurate as of 24th October at 11:52 CET.*

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