Barcelona vs Real Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-10-27 14:15.
For the fourth year in a row, late October witnesses the first La Liga (LL) El ClĂĄsico of the season, as Barcelona host Real Madrid with both hoping to land a significant early blow. While Madrid edge the LL H2H stakes (W77, D35, L74), Barcelona might claim bragging rights after they won this fixture 2-1 last term to take a decisive step towards their 27th league title.
A repeat would lift the hosts above Madrid in the table as they look to make up ground despite being the only side yet to lose a LL fixture this season (W7, D3), and following Wednesdayâs 2-1 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk which moved them within touching distance of the knockout stages, they remain unbeaten in all competitions this term (W10, D3).
Barça have won all five LL home fixtures this term, four of them âto nilâ, although the last three of those required goals after the 75th minute. Marc Guiu made headlines by netting just 23 seconds after coming on against Athletic Bilbao (W 1-0), and the 17-year-old could be one of a number of young stars featuring here given Barcelonaâs injury problems.
After beating Braga 2-1 on Tuesday while resting some key men, Madrid have lost just one competitive fixture this term (W11, D1) and were relieved to see Rodrygo end a lengthy goal drought by opening the scoring. With a fully recovered and revitalised VinĂcius JĂșnior assisting the winner, the visitors appear to be firing on all cylinders ahead of one of the biggest fixtures on their calendar.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti calmed fears that Jude Bellinghamâs late withdrawal was anything serious, although even he couldnât force victory against Sevilla (D 1-1) in their last away league game. Nevertheless, Los Blancos have fond recent memories of Barcelona, as theyâve only lost one of the last six away H2Hs (W3, D2) including Aprilâs 4-0 Copa del Rey semi-final second-leg win.
Players to watch: Ferran Torres opened the scoring in two of Barcelonaâs last four fixtures and has three direct goal contributions (G2, A1) across his last three league appearances against Madrid. VinĂcius Jr netted the opener in Realâs 4-0 win here last term, meaning all three of his El ClĂĄsico strikes broke the deadlock.
Hot streak: There were goals in both halves of each of the last six LL H2Hs (Madrid: W4, L2).