Barcelona v Real Madrid preview: Flick's perfect league record meets Mourinho's Madrid without Vinícius
Barcelona have won all nine LaLiga games and lead Real Madrid by six points, but they arrive after a 4-2 defeat in Paris and with a defensive injury crisis. Mourinho's Madrid have won four in a row — and will be without the suspended Vinícius Júnior.
The first Clásico of the season comes at the perfect moment for drama. Barcelona can go nine points clear of Real Madrid with a win at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday 25 October (21:00 CET / 20:00 UK). Madrid can cut the gap to three, and remind everyone that the title race is far from over.
The state of play
| Barcelona | Real Madrid | |
|---|---|---|
| LaLiga position | 1st, 27 pts (W9) | 3rd, 21 pts |
| League goals | 39 in 9 games | Conceded 9 in 9 |
| Last game | Lost 4-2 at PSG (UCL) | Beat RB Leipzig 4-1 (UCL) |
| Coach | Hansi Flick | José Mourinho |
Atlético Madrid sit second on 22 points, so a Madrid win would also tighten the race behind the leaders. See the full LaLiga table.
Barcelona: perfect in Spain, wobbling in Europe
Flick's side have won every league game, averaging more than four goals a game and scoring at least twice in every match this season. Their 5-2 win at Real Betis and 3-0 over Getafe were typical.
Tuesday's 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain, their first loss of the season, exposed the problem. "We made too many mistakes, especially in ball possession, easy ball losses," Flick said. "We have to understand the mistakes happen because [the players] are not fresh."
The defence is the worry:
- Eric García is out for three to four weeks with a thigh problem.
- Andreas Christensen is unavailable.
- Jules Koundé sprained his ankle and missed the PSG game, though he has not been ruled out.
- Dani Olmo is out for around a month with an adductor injury.
The good news is that Raphinha is back from a hamstring injury and started in Paris, and Gerard Martín has recovered from an ankle problem.
Real Madrid: Mourinho's momentum
Madrid have won four in a row, including a 4-1 win over Sevilla, when Kylian Mbappé scored twice, and Wednesday's 4-1 win over RB Leipzig. Bernardo Silva scored his first goal for the club against Leipzig, and Arda Güler, Mbappé and record signing Yan Diomande also scored. Madrid have won all seven home games this season, but this one is away.
Mourinho, 100 days into his second spell at the club, has already been playing the mind games. Asked about confidence, he said "confidence doesn't exist", and he complained about the schedule: "It's not a game like the others... we're losing 24 hours of rest" compared with Barcelona.
The big absence is Vinícius Júnior, who is serving a four-match ban after his red card against Villarreal. Spanish newspaper AS reported that, inside the club, the suspension was seen "more as a solution than a problem". Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo are also out, and it is not yet clear whether Ferland Mendy is ready to return from a serious injury.
Key players
- Lamine Yamal: 8 league goals, 6 assists and 32 chances created. The day after the Clásico he could win the Ballon d'Or — see our ceremony guide.
- Kylian Mbappé: 9 league goals, and the main threat on the break against Barcelona's high line.
- Arda Güler: in excellent form, scoring against both Sevilla and Leipzig.
- Pedri: Barcelona's control in midfield, crucial if Madrid sit deep.
Head-to-head: Barcelona on top
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 10 May 2026 | LaLiga | Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid |
| 11 Jan 2026 | Super Cup | Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid |
| 26 Oct 2025 | LaLiga | Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona |
| 11 May 2025 | LaLiga | Barcelona 4-3 Real Madrid |
| 26 Apr 2025 | Copa del Rey | Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid |
Barcelona have won four of the last five meetings. Madrid's only win in that run was this fixture's equivalent last season, the 2-1 at the Bernabéu.
Possible line-ups
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Joan García; Espart, Gerard Martín, Cubarsí, Cancelo; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Gordon; Raphinha
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Huijsen, Konaté, Cucurella; Tchouaméni, Güler; Valverde, Bellingham, Diomande; Mbappé
What to watch
Barcelona's high defensive line against Mbappé's pace is the obvious battle, especially with Barcelona's centre-backs injured. In the other direction, Madrid have conceded nine league goals, and Yamal against Cucurella on Madrid's left could decide the game. Mourinho's teams have always been dangerous in big away games, and without Vinícius he may choose a more compact shape.
FAQ
When is El Clásico 2026? Sunday 25 October 2026, 21:00 CET (20:00 UK, 04:00 Monday in Beijing), at Spotify Camp Nou.
Is Vinícius Júnior playing in El Clásico? No. He is serving a four-match suspension after being sent off against Villarreal.
How far ahead are Barcelona? Six points: Barcelona have 27 from nine games, Real Madrid 21.
