El Clásico is unlikely to lose its global appeal, but one of European football’s most prestigious fixtures has arguably lost some of its glamour over the past decade. The rivalry once represented the pinnacle of the sport, with the football world turning its attention to Barcelona and Real Madrid whenever…...
El Clásico is unlikely to lose its global appeal, but one of European football’s most prestigious fixtures has arguably lost some of its glamour over the past decade.
The rivalry once represented the pinnacle of the sport, with the football world turning its attention to Barcelona and Real Madrid whenever they met, particularly during the managerial battles between Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho.
Now, Mourinho is back and preparing for his first El Clásico since 2013. His relationship with Barcelona dates back to the mid-1990s, when he worked as an interpreter and assistant to Sir Bobby Robson. However, resentment reportedly grew after Barcelona chose Guardiola as Frank Rijkaard’s assistant in 2008.
Mourinho eventually became Barcelona’s arch-rival, leading Real Madrid against Guardiola’s dominant side. He ultimately ended Barcelona’s reign of dominance in Spain, while establishing himself as one of Guardiola’s fiercest rivals. However, Hansi Flick’s current Barcelona side are on course to challenge the records set by Mourinho’s Madrid team during the 2011–12 season.
Barcelona enter Sunday’s encounter six points ahead of Real Madrid and are threatening to establish a commanding position in the title race for a third consecutive year. Although Camp Nou was the venue for Mourinho’s “most beautiful defeat,” the Portuguese manager cannot afford another setback this weekend. A nine-point gap against this Barcelona side could prove difficult to overcome, even at this early stage of the season, given the quality available to Los Blancos.
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Barcelona vs Real Madrid Score Prediction
Madrid Battle for Point
Barcelona have won six of their last seven meetings with Real Madrid, including two of the three encounters between the sides last season. Flick has generally enjoyed the upper hand against Madrid, but Mourinho’s return adds another dimension to the contest and increases the possibility of an unpredictable outcome.
Mourinho has faced Flick only once in his managerial career, when his Tottenham Hotspur side lost 3–1 to Bayern Munich in 2019. Flick’s Bayern team went on to dominate European football that season.
Real Madrid still appear less tactically polished than Barcelona, but Mourinho does not necessarily need to produce a tactical masterpiece to make an impact in 2026. The returning manager appears to be adopting an approach similar to Carlo Ancelotti’s, allowing his players greater freedom while ensuring the team maintains the right balance. Madrid have performed well over the past week, although their recent opponents are not comparable to the challenge awaiting them in Catalonia.
Barcelona remain an outstanding team, but if Madrid find their rhythm on Sunday, the encounter could produce a memorable contest.
Vibe check: Barcelona enjoyed a relatively comfortable start to the 2026–27 season before Paris Saint-Germain handed them a reality check on Tuesday. The defeat has increased the pressure on Flick’s side to deliver a response in their first major test since that setback.
Despite Barcelona’s dominance, a slight sense of tension has emerged, with João Cancelo reportedly unhappy with the criticism he received from supporters following his performance in Paris.
Madrid, meanwhile, may trail their rivals by six points, but Spanish media have praised the harmony Mourinho has established within the squad. The players appear to have embraced his leadership, and if that unity translates onto the pitch, they will be determined to secure a Clásico victory.
Barcelona’s home form: Barcelona suffered a midweek setback, but it does little to diminish their impressive start to the campaign, particularly at home. Since returning to Camp Nou last season, the Catalan side have won all 18 of their La Liga home matches, scoring 58 goals in the process.
Superstars on show: Although Sunday’s encounter may not replicate the intensity of the rivalry’s peak in the early 2010s, the quality on display remains considerable. El Clásico has a history of bringing out the best in its biggest stars.
Kylian Mbappé has scored 12 goals in as many appearances against Barcelona and has recorded a hat-trick in the fixture. Raphinha, meanwhile, has scored more senior-career goals against Sevilla, with nine, than against Real Madrid, against whom he has seven. Lamine Yamal has also registered 20 goal contributions in just 12 matches this season.
Prediction: Over 2 Goals
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs Real Madrid
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Barcelona suffered notable injury setbacks during Tuesday evening’s encounter at the Parc des Princes. Dani Olmo sustained a groin injury that is expected to keep him out for approximately a month.
The hosts can, however, turn to Fermín López as an attacking option in reserve.
Flick is also expected to be without full-backs Jules Koundé and Eric García, meaning João Cancelo and young defender Xavi Espart are likely to retain their places in defence. Espart impressed against Paris Saint-Germain, while Cancelo struggled to make the same impact.
Rodri played only 30 minutes during the week, suggesting Barcelona’s manager may have been managing his workload with the Clásico in mind. The midfielder, who is preparing for his first appearance in the fixture, is expected to start alongside Pedri.
Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are expected to feature in attack, leaving Flick to choose between Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi for the left side of the forward line.
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): J. García; Espart, Cubarsí, Martín, Cancelo; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Fermín, Gordon; Raphinha.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs Barcelona
Real Madrid have continued to perform well in the absence of Vinícius Júnior, who will serve the second match of his four-game suspension on Sunday. The Brazilian was punished for pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair during Madrid’s 1–0 victory over Villarreal earlier this month and subsequently remonstrating with the referee.
In his absence, the in-form Yan Diomande is expected to start on the left wing. Mourinho is also expected to deploy a French midfield partnership of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga.
Federico Valverde is likely to move to right-back, while Arda Güler is expected to operate with freedom on the right side of midfield.
Real Madrid will also be without Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo because of injuries.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Güler, Bellingham, Diomande; Mbappé.
Match Details
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Stadium: Camp Nou
Date: Sunday, October 25
Kick-off: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. GMT
Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera