Barcelona host Real Madrid on 26 October in the biggest match of the European football calendar, with the Catalan side six points clear of their traditional rivals after nine matches.
Barcelona have taken all 27 available points, while Real Madrid sit third in the table. These are the predicted starting line-ups and the tactical route each team could take to victory.
Barcelona
Predicted XI: Joan Garcia; Xavi Espart, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo; Pedri, Rodri; Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Anthony Gordon; Raphinha.
Joan Garcia is expected to start in goal. As well as his work on the line, he gives Barcelona an option during the build-up by making himself available for backwards passes and switching play into open areas. He is also regarded as one of the better goalkeepers when acting as a sweeper.
Joao Cancelo should operate on the left, with Xavi Espart on the right. Injuries to Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia leave the young academy graduate with little competition for the role, while Espart impressed in Barcelona’s defeat by PSG. He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and can help supply Yamal.
Gerard Martin and Pau Cubarsi are expected to form the central defensive pairing. They will have to contain Mbappe and begin attacks with long passes when Barcelona’s midfield options are blocked. Martin’s availability had been uncertain because of a bruise, but he completed all 90 minutes against PSG in the Champions League. Without him, Barcelona might have had to start an unfit Frenkie de Jong or inexperienced youth-team player Alex Campos.
Rodri should sit deeper in midfield, distributing longer passes, while Pedri will move higher and look to create in the final third. Barcelona are likely to seek control from the start, although Rodri will also carry much of the defensive burden, leading the pair for tackles and interceptions.
Yamal remains the main threat on the right. One of the leading contenders for the Ballon d’Or, he has produced 20 goal involvements in 12 club matches this season. He will look to receive the ball wide before dribbling inside to shoot or create.
With Dani Olmo out for a month with an injury, Fermin Lopez is expected to play as the number 10. His intensity and aggression will be important, while his runs into the penalty area make him a regular target for deliveries from the wings.
Despite a poor display in Paris, Anthony Gordon should start on the left. He will provide width and attack space behind the defence, while also helping Cancelo defensively. Raphinha, still building up his fitness after injury, is likely to operate as a false nine. The leading scorer in La Liga is central to Hansi Flick’s pressing system and has seven goals and two assists in six Clasicos across the past two seasons. His movement with Fermin will be particularly important, with one player clearing space for the other.
Real Madrid
Predicted XI: Thibaut Courtois; Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde; Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Yan Diomande; Kylian Mbappe.
Thibaut Courtois will start in goal and could face a busy evening against Barcelona’s prolific attack. Few goalkeepers in European football match his ability on the line.
Dumfries is expected to play at right-back and Cucurella on the left. Dumfries must contain Gordon while also supporting attacks when Guler moves inside. Cucurella faces the difficult task of stopping Yamal and is likely to need help from his team-mates.
Huijsen and Konate will partner in central defence, with particular attention required for Raphinha’s movement. Huijsen will also be important when Real Madrid move forward, as he is one of the strongest ball-playing options in the projected side.
Tchouameni and Valverde are likely to make up the holding midfield. Unlike Pedri and Rodri, they may not dominate possession to the same extent and will therefore have to work hard without the ball. Tchouameni should remain deep and drop between the centre-backs when Fermin makes forward runs. Valverde will have a more mobile role, moving towards Dumfries and Guler, tracking Pedri and helping Real Madrid break quickly.
Guler has been one of Real Madrid’s best performers at the start of the season. He can move across the final third, create chances, shoot from distance and deliver set-pieces, while he is often the player who puts Mbappe into shooting positions.
Bellingham will link midfield and attack from the advanced midfield role, make runs into vacant areas in the penalty box and help restrict passes into Rodri. His ability to retain possession and carry the ball under pressure could prove significant.
Yan Diomande is expected to start on the left. The young signing has adapted to life in Madrid and recorded six goal involvements in four matches since the international break. Unlike the suspended Vinicius, Diomande is particularly dangerous in open space, beats opponents with his dribbling and contributes defensively a valuable quality against Yamal on that flank.
Mbappe will lead the line. Diomande’s presence gives the French forward greater freedom, while no-one challenges his status as Real Madrid’s main star. Although Mbappe offers less defensively, Barcelona’s high defensive line may leave the space he needs to decide the match.
Barcelona’s main advantage is Yamal’s remarkable form. His goals and assists create openings for others, while the movement of Raphinha and Fermin could produce chances even without a traditional striker between the centre-backs.
Real Madrid will rely heavily on the relationship between Diomande and Mbappe. Diomande must provide width and threaten runs without obstructing Mbappe’s movement. Dumfries’ forward runs will also require cover, making Valverde’s work-rate and versatility important.
Both sides are expected to use the same basic shape, but their routes to victory are different. Barcelona will look to control possession, rotate positions and press aggressively. Real Madrid can counter with strength in midfield, passes between the lines and Mbappe’s pace.
With Jose Mourinho’s return to Madrid adding to the backdrop, this could be one of the most compelling El Clasicos in recent years.
Danil Tutov