For millions of fans worldwide, it's one of the must-see games of the European season: The first "El Clasico" of the season places Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid against each other, and despite the personnel changes, the rivalry remains as strong as ever.
There will be no Lionel Messi in the game for the first time in 16 years, but both teams have new young stars such as Ansu Fati (Barcelona) and Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid). Their careers will be defined by the head-to-head battle that determines the Spanish La Liga title regularly. These two teams have won 60 of the 90 La Liga titles, including 15 of the last 17.
While Real Madrid (second, 17 points) is expected to challenge for the title again after finishing second last season, the income Barcelona (fifth, 15 points) faces many more questions in the post-Messi era. This season, it will rely on its "La Masia" academy, which has produced several starters, but a lot is riding on the shoulders of Fati, 18, and Gavi, 17, both of whom are unproven.
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The Clasico can potentially change the narrative surrounding the storied club and its embattled Dutch coach, Ronald Koeman, whose dismissal is widely expected. However, a win at home in front of a raucous Camp Nou crowd would not only put Barcelona (15 points) ahead of Real Madrid (17 points) in the standings, but it would also help to re-engage the fan base with a club that has been through some difficult times since Messi's departure, budget issues stemming from years of financial mismanagement, and a lackluster summer player acquisition campaign.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: How to Watch
Sunday, October 24th
10 a.m. is the start time. ET
ESPN+ is available for streaming.
Only the ESPN+ streaming service, which has exclusive rights to La Liga, will watch the match in the United States. As with all La Liga matches on the platform, there will be a Spanish and English-language stream. An hour before kickoff at 9 a.m. ET, an El Clasico pregame show will air on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
The match will be held at Barcelona's Camp Nou, approved by local authorities to keep a whole house of fans. It will be the first time since December 2019 that a crowd will be present at Camp Nou to witness a Clasico.
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In the all-time series against Barcelona, Real Madrid has three more victories (98-95), and 52 of the 245 meetings have ended in a draw.
Lineups for Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
Ronald Koeman will be without two starters, center-back Ronald Araujo (hamstring) and central midfielder Pedri (quad), as well as forward Martin Braithwaite (left knee), who is out for the season. Furthermore, two more players are unlikely to be available: Jordi Alaba (foot sprain) is still doubtful, while Ousmane Dembele's long-awaited return is set for the midweek match against Rayo Vallecano.
FC Barcelona's predicted starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left) is as follows: 1-Marc Andre Ter Stegen, goalkeeper — 22-Oscar Mingueza, midfielder Gerard Pique is the third player on the list. Clement Lenglet, 15-Clement Lenglet, 15-Clement Lenglet, 15 2-Sergio Dest — 21-Frenkie de Jong, 5-Sergio Busquets, 2-Sergio Busquets, 2-Sergio Busquets, 2-Sergio Busquets, 2-Sergio Busquets, 2- Memphis Depay (9), Luuk de Jong (17), and Ansu Fati (10).
Substitutes for FC Barcelona: 26-Inaki Pena-GK, 26-Inaki Pena-GK, 26-Inaki Pena-GK, 13-Neto-GK, Sergi Roberto, 20 Alejandro Balde, 31, Eric Garcia, 24, Samuel Umtiti (23), Riqui Puig, 6 Philippe Coutinho (14), NICO GONZALEZ, 28 Yusuf Demir (11), Sergio Aguero (19).
Real Madrid is also without long-term injury absentees Gareth Bale and Dani Ceballos, while Luka Jovic and Isco have been training on the sidelines. Dani Carvajal, the starting right back, could reclaim his starting spot from Lucas Vasquez if he is deemed fit. It's also possible that Federico Valverde will rest Luka Modric, though the Croatian veteran is unlikely to miss a Clasico. Eden Hazard has resumed regular training and could be included in the matchday squad.
Real Madrid's likely starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left) is as follows: 1-Thibaut Courtois, goalkeeper — 17-Lucas Vazquez, midfielder 3-Eder Militao (Eder Militao, Eder Militao, E David Alaba, 4-David Alaba, 4-David Alaba, 4-Da 10-Luka Modric, 14-Casemiro, 23-Ferland Mendy 21-Rodrygo, 9-Karim Benzema, 20-Vinicius Junior — 8-Toni Kroos.
Real Madrid's projected substitutes are: 26-Luis Lopez-GK, 26-Luis Lopez-GK, 26-Luis Lopez-GK, Andriy Lunin-GK, 13 6-Nacho Fernandez is a character in the film "Nacho Fernandez." Daniel Carvajal, No. 2 5-Jesus Vallejo (Jesus Vallejo, Jesus Vallejo, Jesus Valle 12-Marcelo, Federico Valverde, No. 15 Eduardo Camavinga, 25, Eden Hazard, n.d., n.d., n.d 24-year-old Mario Diaz and 11-year-old Marco Asensio
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Betting odds and predictions
Pick: Karim Benzema (+115) any time scorer
There's no telling which way this game will go, given the high stakes and the fact that both backlines have had their fair share of defensive nightmares this season. Barcelona is without Ronaldo Araujo, its best defender, and the left-back position is in doubt due to Jordi Alba's injury. Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has prioritized defending for his team heading into the match.
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Barcelona's home crowd will put pressure on the team to attack and win, which could create opportunities for Real Madrid's in-form forwards. Karim Benzema, also Madrid's designated penalty taker, will be in the best position to capitalize. It's tough to pass up a chance to get him at +115 to score in what should be a wide-open game, especially given his recent form (goals in five of Real Madrid's last eight games) as he builds a case for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award.
Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 2 is my prediction.
