Barcelona vs Real Madrid - La Liga: TV channel, team news, lineups and prediction
The first Clasico of the 2023/24 season takes place on Saturday afternoon
The first Clasico of the 2023/24 season takes place on Saturday afternoon / Visionhaus / Getty Images
It's a contest that needs no introduction. Barcelona and Real Madrid have been battling it out for Spanish supremacy for decades and the rivalry is renewed this weekend with Barca playing host to the first Clasico of the 2023/24 season.
El Clasico is a fixture that transcends the on-pitch action. It's a rivalry entrenched in cultural and political significance, although both Xavi and Carlo Ancelotti will primarily be concerned with snatching all three points on Saturday.
The two sides are once again expected to duel for the La Liga title this season, with champions Barcelona entering the clash just a point adrift of league leaders Real Madrid.
Both teams have enjoyed productive openings to the season, but Saturday's Clasico will doubtlessly set the tone for how the rest of the 2023/24 campaign plays out at La Liga's summit.
Here's 90min's preview of Saturday's Clasico between Barca and Madrid.
What time does Barcelona vs Real Madrid kick-off?
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Stadium: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
Date: Saturday 28 October
Kick-off Time: 15:15 BST / 10:15 ET / 07:15 PT
Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano
VAR: Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez
Barcelona vs Real Madrid H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Barcelona: 3 wins
Real Madrid: 2 wins
Draws: 0
How to watch Barcelona vs Real Madrid on TV and live stream
Country
TV channel/live stream
United Kingdom
LaLigaTV
United States
ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
Well, where do we start? This fixture has been cited as a potential return date for several of Barcelona's current injured stars, but it remains to be seen how many players Xavi will welcome back for El Clasico.
Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha have all returned to training ahead of Saturday's game and there's particular optimism about Lewandowski's status.
Joao Felix should be fit despite picking up a knock on Wednesday in Barca's win over Shakhtar Donetsk, but Pedri will not feature. Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto are also expected to be absent.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Real Madrid
Barca predicted lineup vs Madrid (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Romeu, Lopez, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Gavi.
Real Madrid team news
Jude Bellingham
Carlo Ancelotti said Jude Bellingham is "ok" after Madrid's win over Braga / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
There's much less melodrama on the injury front for the visitors, although Jude Bellingham was substituted in midweek against Braga with a suspected knock.
Ancelotti, though, all but confirmed Real Madrid's latest superstar will be fine for Saturday's Clasico.
Madrid will only be without long-term absentees Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Barcelona
Madrid predicted lineup vs Barca (4-3-1-2): Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Tchouameni, Kroos, Valverde; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid score prediction
These fixtures are never easy to predict, but you have to suspect Barca's injuries could swing the contest in Madrid's favour. Even if the hosts welcome several key players back into the matchday squad on Saturday, there's no guarantee any of them will be 100% fit.
Xavi has so far managed pretty well despite the pile up of injuries, with the boss turning to La Masia for mitigation.
However, this Barcelona side are yet to fire at the start of the new season despite their impressive points tally and while Madrid have been forced to grind out a few results, their experienced superstars could get them over the line in a contest of this magnitude.
Prediction: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
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Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Barcelona - La Liga
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Barcelona - La Liga
By James Cormack | 15:30 BST
Carlo Ancelotti will be looking to oversee a victory in the Clasico this weekend
Carlo Ancelotti will be looking to oversee a victory in the Clasico this weekend / Octavio Passos/GettyImages
While a 4-0 beatdown of their eternal rivals paved the way for a Copa del Rey success, Real Madrid certainly wouldn't have been best pleased with their El Clasico efforts last season.
Carlo Ancelotti's side lost three of the five duels with Barcelona last season, defeats which included the unofficial ending of the La Liga title race as well as the Spanish Super Cup.
However, Los Blancos head into the first head-to-head duel of 2023/24 at the top of La Liga and emboldened by the dazzling form of a certain English superstar. Saturday's Clasico will not define both Barca and Madrid's respective seasons, but it will set a tone or two.
Here's how Madrid could line up for their visit to Catalonia.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-3-1-2)
Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid beat Braga in the Champions League on Tuesday / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga - The Spaniard has so far done a pretty good job of filling in for long-term absentee Thibaut Courtois. He's one of a couple of Madrid stars preparing for their first Clasico.
RB: Dani Carvajal - A Clasico veteran. Carvajal is the longest-serving member of the Madrid squad and has featured in this contest over 25 times.
CB: Antonio Rudiger - Who will the German be duelling on Saturday? There are doubts over Robert Lewandowski's fitness, although the Polish hitman is expected to return to action for this heavyweight clash.
CB: David Alaba - Ancelotti would be wise to drop the fiery Nacho in favour of the more serene Alaba. The Austrian's ball-playing abilities will be key to Madrid establishing some control away from home.
LB: Ferland Mendy - The don has several options here. Fran Garcia's vulnerabilities mean it's unlikely he'll start, so Mendy, who has lost his burst after battling multiple injuries, could get the nod at left-back.
DM: Aurelien Tchouameni - The France international is a pivotal member of this Madrid side and is a sure bet to start at the base of midfield.
CM: Toni Kroos - The elegant German midfielder has spoken in the past about the "special feeling" he gets ahead of a Clasico. That ambiguous sensation will course through him as he prepares for another start in this fixture.
CM: Federico Valverde - The relentless midfielder has previously dominated this fixture in multiple roles. Given his form to start the new season, you wouldn't put it past Valverde to dominate yet again on Saturday.
AM: Jude Bellingham - Madrid's English prince makes his Clasico bow this weekend after scoring yet again in midweek. Ancelotti assured supporters he'll be fine for Saturday's game despite being forced off against Braga.
ST: Rodrygo - Will Rodrygo's season burst into life with a stellar performance in the biggest domestic clash of the campaign?
ST: Vinicius Jr - Madrid's game-breaker. While Bellingham is the shiny new toy that's grabbed everybody's attention, Vinicius continues to operate in the shadows. The Brazilian's speed will give the Barcelona backline plenty to think about.
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