Barcelona vs Real Madrid: La Liga Preview

Barcelona come into the match perched at the top of the table, holding a four-point cushion over their arch-rivals with just four games remaining. Hansi Flick’s side, fresh from a gruelling and heartbreaking Champions League semi-final exit to Inter Milan—losing 7-6 on aggregate after a dramatic 4-3 second-leg defeat—will be eager to channel that frustration into solidifying their domestic dominance. Despite the European disappointment, Barcelona have already claimed the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey this season, and wrapping up the league title would cap a hugely successful campaign.

The Catalans have been in strong domestic form, recording four straight La Liga wins, the most recent a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Real Valladolid. Their remaining fixtures—against Espanyol, Villarreal, and Athletic Bilbao—appear manageable, meaning even a draw on Sunday would leave them well-placed to secure the title. However, a defeat would hand Real Madrid a crucial lifeline.

Barcelona will take heart from their recent record in this rivalry, having beaten Real Madrid three times already this season, including a stunning 4-0 win at the Bernabéu in October’s league fixture and triumphs in both the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey finals. However, Real Madrid have shown their resilience in El Clásico over the past few years and won 2-1 in this corresponding league fixture last season.

For Real Madrid, anything less than victory on Sunday would likely spell the end of their title ambitions. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have had a clear week to prepare after a 3-2 win over Celta Vigo kept their own domestic winning streak alive at four games. Their defensive solidity has been a highlight, with three clean sheets in that run, and they’ll be aiming to reverse the momentum of recent clashes against Barça. Despite winning the UEFA Super Cup back in August, Los Blancos risk ending the season empty-handed following an early Champions League exit and defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.

Injury concerns continue to plague Real Madrid, with Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, and Eduardo Camavinga all ruled out for the remainder of the season. Rodrygo is expected to return from illness, but Arda Güler, who impressed against Celta, could keep his place in the starting XI. Federico Valverde is likely to cover at right-back, while Dani Ceballos and Luka Modrić are tipped to marshal the midfield, giving Jude Bellingham licence to push forward. Up front, Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé will spearhead the attack, with Mbappé still searching for his first win over Barcelona in a Real shirt after losing all three encounters so far.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have received some timely boosts, with Alejandro Balde back in training following a hamstring injury and expected to start. Robert Lewandowski, who made his return as a substitute in midweek, is also in line to feature from the outset, while Iñigo Martínez has shaken off a muscle concern. Jules Koundé and Marc Bernal are confirmed absentees, and there are doubts over Pablo Torre and Marc Casado. Flick faces a big decision in goal, with Marc-André ter Stegen fit again and competing with Wojciech Szczęsny for the starting spot.

With the title race on a knife-edge and both sides boasting formidable attacking options, Sunday's clash promises to be another fierce chapter in the storied El Clásico rivalry, with the potential to define the fate of La Liga this season.