Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) and Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid) in action. Ismael Adnan / Zuma Press / Profimedia / OPTA BY STATS PERFORM
On Sunday evening, the biggest match in European club football returns: El Clásico. When Barcelona and Real Madrid meet, the football world stops to witness the spectacle.
It has been 1,148 days since the last Clásico at Camp Nou. This time, the LaLiga title is at stake, and Barcelona knows that even a draw at home would allow them to retain the trophy they won 12 months ago, leaving their eternal rivals without silverware for a second consecutive season. Adding to the occasion, this is the first time in 1,148 days that a Barça vs Real Madrid clash takes place at Camp Nou, guaranteeing a festive atmosphere from the first whistle.
Barcelona v Real Madrid – Recent head-to-head results. Flashscore
Since March 19, 2023, when Xavi Hernández was in charge, the Blaugrana have not hosted Real at their true home. That day, a 92nd-minute goal from Franck Kessie secured a victory for Barça.
Trouble in the Real Madrid dressing room
The build-up to this edition has been overshadowed by controversy. Captain Fede Valverde and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni have been involved in a series of disagreements that ended with the Uruguayan in the hospital and ruled out of the match. Also sidelined are Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal, Arda Guler, and Rodrygo. Kylian Mbappe’s participation remains doubtful as he continues to recover from a thigh injury. Perhaps more concerning for the Frenchman is the ‘Mbappe out’ petition, which has already surpassed 18 million signatures.
Barcelona also has significant absentees, most notably their talisman and Real’s tormentor, Lamine Yamal. The young winger is out for the rest of the season after picking up an injury while scoring a penalty winner against Celta Vigo a few weeks ago. Apart from Andreas Christensen’s long-term absence, Hansi Flick has no other major worries and should have Raphinha available to attack Real’s right flank.
An opportunity to win the title against the eternal rival
A win for Barcelona would not only seal the league title but also level the all-time head-to-head record, which currently favours Real Madrid by one victory. If Flick’s side takes at least one point, the German coach will become the fourth Barça manager this century to win two consecutive Ligas in his first two seasons at the club.
Meanwhile, all signs point to Álvaro Arbeloa following Xabi Alonso’s path and leaving the Santiago Bernabéu at the end of the season, as rumors of José Mourinho’s return grow louder.
Barça have won all 17 of their home league matches in the 2025/26 season, scoring 52 goals and conceding just nine. They are also on a 10-match winning streak in LaLiga. Despite missing Lamine’s creativity and dribbling, Barcelona can still rely on Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski to make a difference. Torres has 15 goals, only one fewer than Lamine, while Lewandowski has netted 13.
Real Madrid have only lost three away games this season, drawing four and winning 10. They will look to repeat their 2-1 victory over Barça in the first half of the season. Mbappe has been a constant threat, with 24 goals – 11 of them opening the scoring – and he still leads the league’s goalscoring charts with just four matchdays remaining for others to catch him.
Despite their internal crisis, Real remain dangerous.
