Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid will host Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu in the latest instalment of El Clasico on Sunday.

La Liga title contenders Real Madrid and Barcelona are all set to square up against each other on Sunday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu. Both teams are separated by just two points at the top of the table, and this fixture could define the title race quite early in the season.

The home team are top of the points table with 24 points in their nine outings, thanks to eight wins and a defeat. Los Blancos have won all their fixtures across competitions apart from the derby, where they suffered a massive 5-2 defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid.

It was an early wake-up call for the team in white, and they have since won four games in a row and are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-0 win over Juventus. While Real Madrid are in fine form, going up against Barcelona won’t be that easy.

The Catalan giants are second on the points table with 22 points in their nine outings, thanks to seven wins, one draw, and a defeat. Since they are just two points behind Real Madrid, a win at the Bernabeu will take them top of the table.

While the defeat at the hands of Sevilla was a massive blow, the Blaugrana returned to winning ways against Girona and have backed it up with an impressive 6-1 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League. Barcelona will be high on confidence heading into the Clasico.

Real Madrid suffered defeat both at home and away last season, and they certainly have a lot to prove heading into this fixture. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.

Team News & Tactics

Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso has a massive boost ahead of this all-important fixture as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, and Dean Huijsen are all back in the mix. However, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba still remain on the sidelines for Real Madrid ahead of the visit of Barcelona.

The team in white will stick to the 4-3-3 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. While Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold are both back fit, they might not be rushed into the starting XI. So, Federico Valverde could continue at right-back, while Alvaro Carreras will take charge on the left flank. In the heart of the defence, Eder Militao will start alongside Dean Huijsen.

As for the midfield unit, Aurelien Tchuameni will take up the holding role, while Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler will be in his support in the centre of the park. The trio will look to control the tempo of the game, but doing that against Barcelona certainly won’t be easy.

Vinicius Junior and Franco Mastantuono will provide width to their attacks from the flanks, while Kylian Mbappe will continue to lead the line for Real Madrid against Barcelona. The Frenchman may be a trump card for Real Madrid this weekend.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Guler, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior

Barcelona

Frenkie de Jong is back in training, but Jules Kounde is still a major doubt. While Raphinha was back in time for the Clasico, he has suffered a setback on his recovery trail. Apart from them, Joan Garcia, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Robert Lewandowski, and Dani Olmo all remain on the sidelines.

The reigning La Liga champions will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Wojciech Szczesny will be in goal. Eric Garcia and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs, while Ronald Araujo will pair up with Pau Cubarsi in the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield unit, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong should form the double pivot in the middle of the park. The duo will look to shield the backline and ensure they dominate the ball. Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford will feature on the flanks, while Fermin Lopez will take up the number ten role. Ferran Torres should spearhead the Barcelona attack against Real Madrid.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Eric Garcia, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, de Jong; Yamal, Fermin, Rashford; Ferran Torres

Key Stats

• Real Madrid have won all but one fixture in the new campaign under Xabi Alonso.
• Barcelona have the best attack in the division, having scored 24 goals in their nine outings.
• Barcelona won all four of their fixtures against Real Madrid last season.
• Hansi Flick’s team smashed Real Madrid 4-0 at the Bernabeu last October.
• Barcelona have lost two out of their last four games across competitions, while Real Madrid have each of their last four games.

Player to Watch

Kylian Mbappe

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Having lost all four of their games against Barcelona last season, Mbappe is still waiting for his first El Clasico win. Given the kind of form he has been in at the start of the new season, the French international will look to take matters into his hands and help his team secure all three points at home.

The Frenchman has been involved in 12 matches across competitions, and he has contributed towards 17 goals (15 goals, 2 assists). Having scored a goal in each of his last six league outings, Mbappe will look to keep that run going.

Prediction

Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona

Real Madrid have looked unstoppable under Xabi Alonso, and with the home crowd behind them, they will be confident of ending their poor recent run against Barcelona. The trio of Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, and Kylian Mbappe has been in sensational form, and their link-up play could prove decisive in this high-voltage clash.

With Los Blancos winning four on the bounce and showing great balance between attack and defence, they will fancy their chances of edging this one at the Bernabeu. Barcelona, meanwhile, have the firepower to cause serious problems despite their injury concerns.

The return of Frenkie de Jong will add much-needed control in midfield, while Yamal and Rashford could be a real threat on the counter. However, their defensive vulnerabilities might be exposed by Real Madrid’s relentless pace and creativity in the final third. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-2 win for Alonso and his charges.