Barcelona enter the 265th edition of the fixture in all competitions at the top of the table after winning their opening nine league matches, collecting 27 points. Real Madrid sit third on 21 points, six behind their rivals, making the contest an important opportunity for José Mourinho’s side to close the gap.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 9:00 pm local time in Barcelona, with Hansi Flick’s team hoping to use home advantage to maintain their perfect domestic record.
Barcelona aim to respond after PSG defeat
Barcelona have made a remarkable start to their league campaign, scoring 39 goals across their opening nine matches while conceding nine.
However, their preparations for El Clásico suffered a setback on Tuesday when they lost 4–2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Flick’s side must now recover quickly from that defeat and address defensive concerns caused by injuries to Jules Koundé and Eric García. Dani Olmo, Andreas Christensen and Roony Bardghji are also among the players reported unavailable, while Koundé remains a doubt.
Despite those concerns, Barcelona possess considerable attacking quality. Lamine Yamal has emerged as one of the team's most influential players, while Raphinha offers pace, creativity and a consistent threat in the final third.
Yamal has scored eight goals in nine La Liga appearances this season, making him one of the players most likely to influence Sunday's contest.
Barcelona will also draw confidence from their recent record against their rivals. They won the corresponding league fixture 2–0 last season, and another victory would strengthen their early grip on the title race.
Real Madrid look to Mbappé for inspiration
Real Madrid arrive in Catalonia with renewed confidence after recording four consecutive victories in all competitions, including a 4–1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
Mourinho will be eager to build on that momentum and prevent Barcelona from extending their advantage at the top of the table to nine points.
Kylian Mbappé is expected to be central to Madrid’s attacking plans. The France captain has an outstanding scoring record against Barcelona, with 12 goals in 10 previous meetings against the Catalan club across all competitions.
Jude Bellingham will also be an important figure, particularly in linking midfield with the attack and creating opportunities for Mbappé.
However, Madrid will be without Vinícius Júnior, who is suspended following his dismissal against Villarreal. His absence removes one of the team's most dangerous players in one-on-one situations and leaves Mourinho with a significant selection decision.
The visitors will need to remain disciplined defensively while exploiting opportunities on the counter-attack, especially against a Barcelona side that regularly commits numbers forward.
Key battle: Yamal against Madrid's defence
One of the central tactical questions will be whether Real Madrid can contain Yamal and prevent Barcelona from establishing control in the attacking areas.
The teenager's ability to beat defenders, create chances and move inside from the right makes him a constant threat. Madrid must limit the space available to him while avoiding situations that leave their defenders isolated.
At the other end, Barcelona must manage Mbappé's pace and movement. The French forward can punish defensive mistakes quickly, particularly when Madrid win possession and launch fast attacks.
The midfield contest will be equally important. Barcelona will look to dominate possession and dictate the tempo, while Madrid may seek to disrupt their rhythm and create openings through transitions.
With both sides possessing elite attacking talent, the first goal could significantly influence how the contest unfolds.
Head-to-head and recent form
Barcelona have won six of their last seven meetings with Real Madrid in all competitions, including a 2–0 league victory at Camp Nou last season.
The Catalan side also enter the fixture with a perfect La Liga record after nine matches, although their midweek loss to PSG ended their winning run across all competitions.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have won four successive matches since their defeat to Atlético Madrid, including their recent league victory over Sevilla and Champions League success against Leipzig.
The contrasting form creates an intriguing contest: Barcelona have the stronger domestic record, while Madrid arrive with momentum from their recent victories.
Match details
• Fixture: Barcelona vs Real Madrid
• Competition: La Liga, matchday 10
• Date: Sunday, 25 October 2026
• Kick-off: 9:00 pm local time in Barcelona
• Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona
• Barcelona position: First, 27 points
• Real Madrid position: Third, 21 points
Prediction: Barcelona 2–1 Real Madrid
Barcelona’s perfect league start, home advantage and recent success in this fixture give them a slight edge. However, Madrid’s improved form and Mbappé’s scoring threat mean the visitors should not be underestimated.
Vinícius Júnior’s suspension is a major blow for Madrid, while Barcelona’s defensive injuries could create opportunities for the visitors.
A competitive encounter is expected, but Barcelona are tipped to claim a narrow victory and extend their lead over their fiercest rivals to nine points.