Get your popcorn ready, because Sunday sees the latest edition of El Clásico when Real Madrid welcomes Barcelona to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for a key La Liga match.
Real Madrid enters the weekend two points clear of their rivals in the table, with Kylian Mbappe scoring almost at will. They will take on a Barcelona side teeming with talent as Lamine Yamal looks to score in his fourth El Clásico out of five, but with manager Hansi Flick serving a touchline ban.
I explain why we should see plenty of fireworks in my Real Madrid vs. Barcelona predictions for Sunday, October 26.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona picks and predictions
My Real Madrid vs Barcelona best bet: Over 3.5 (-135 at Sports Interaction)
I don’t often give out best bets with odds this juiced, but the total in this match sits where it does for a reason.
That’s because this fixture produces goals. Not counting extra time, the last six competitive El Clásico meetings have resulted in at least four goals being scored. And excluding the extra-time winner in the Copa del Rey final in April, there were a total of 22 goals scored in the four meetings last season.
One reason for this is the extremely high line that Hansi Flick deploys with his Barcelona side. It allows the Catalan side to compress opponents when out of possession and win the ball back quickly, but it also gives teams with pace the ability to get in behind and punish them on the break, much as Real Madrid have done.
On the other side, Real Madrid have shown an ability to be played through at times. Xabi Alonso has his side pressing more effectively than they did under Carlo Ancelotti, but Juventus showed at midweek the ability to break through it and take advantage of fullbacks being pushed too high.
In addition, Los Blancos are vulnerable on set pieces. Only Oviedo is allowing a higher xG per corner this season than Madrid, and with Antonio Rudiger injured, it’s an area that Barcelona can target.
There is immense firepower on both sides of the pitch, and these teams simply despise one another. Their innate desire to defeat the other is why El Clásico is almost always a thrilling spectacle, and this should be no exception. Lay the juice and bank on another high-octane goalfest.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 3.5
Kylian Mbappe anytime goalscorer
Arda Guler to record an assist
Real Madrid moneyline
Kylian Mbappe learned from being caught offside eight times in Real Madrid’s 4-0 defeat in last year’s opening El Clásico. He responded by scoring five goals in the following three meetings, including a hat trick last time out.
Mbappe’s 11-match goal-scoring streak came to an end against Juventus, and he'll be ready to get back on track. He’s got 18 goals for club and country this season, and ranks second in La Liga in runs behind the defensive line this season.
One of the players who will be looking to set him free is Arda Guler. The Turkish attacker has assisted in four of his last six La Liga outings, and he will likely operate in the No. 10 role in this match.
Finally, the absence of Flick and the numerous key injuries Barcelona are dealing with will make it difficult for them to get their substitutions right. In addition, the roof of the Bernabeu is likely to be closed for the first time in an El Clásico. That turns the stadium into an utter cauldron of noise, and the home side will ride that energy to a win.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona odds
 Real Madrid |
 Barcelona |
|
|---|---|---|
| +105 | Moneyline | +210 |
| +310 | Draw | +310 |
| Over 3.5 (-135) | Total | Under 3.5 (-102) |
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction.
How to watch Real Madrid vs Barcelona
| Location | Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, ES |
| Date | Sunday, October 26, 2025 |
| Time | 11:15 a.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN2 |
| Weather | 63F, 9 mph winds, 20% PoP. |
Real Madrid vs Barcelona key injuries
Real Madrid: Trent Alexander-Arnold D (Questionable), Antonio Rudiger D (Out), David Alaba D (Doubtful), Dani Carvajal D (Questionable), Dean Huijsen D (Out), Ferland Mendy D (Doubtful).
Barcelona: Frenkie de Jong M (Probable), Raphinha F (Out), Joan Garcia GK (Out), Andre ter Stegen GK (Out), Dani Olmo M (Out), Gavi M (Out), Robert Lewandowski F (Out), Jules Kounde D (Doubtful).
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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