Barcelona welcome bitter rivals Real Madrid to their Olympic Stadium on May 11, where they will trade blows in a potential La Liga title decider.
Barca have wiped the floor with their arch-nemesis four times across all competitions this season and will be determined to make it a clean sweep.
The Catalans are four points above the 15-time UEFA Champions League winners on the La Liga table with five games to go at the time of writing.
If Barca secure three points when they meet in ten days, they will have one hand on the trophy. However, a slip-up could prove costly.
Barcelona have been steamrolling opponents in La Liga. They are yet to lose in 2025, winning 12 of their 14 matches.
The last time they tasted defeat in the league was against Atletico Madrid in December.
Barca are riding a wave of three La Liga wins on the trot, and confidence is sky-high. They have every reason to believe they can continue that run with a win over Madrid.
However, for all their dominance, Barca have not put daylight between themselves and underwhelming Madrid. Los Blancos still believe they can blow the title race open.
They have picked up steam since losing to Valencia, winning three successive league games.
Madrid will back themselves to go to Catalonia and secure the three points they need to move within touching distance of Barca at the summit.
They recently overturned a goal deficit to lead the Blaugrana until a late equaliser in regular time and a winner in extra-time in their Copa del Rey clash.
If Madrid bring their A-game, they can wreak havoc.
Madrid have not been firing on all cylinders this season, especially in this latter phase. But they can pull off something remarkable if they can catch and overtake Barcelona.
All eyes will be on Montjuïc for one of the most thrilling El Clasico encounters in recent memory.
Don’t miss out. Secure your Barcelona vs Real Madrid tickets now at Seatsnet.com and witness history unfold live.
Match Preview
Barcelona have been the best team in Europe this summer. Manager Hansi Flick arrived and immediately turned the Catalans into a feared force.
His gung-ho system of football that delivered titles in Bayern Munich yet faltered with Germany has transformed Barcelona into a relentless winning machine.
Barca have already claimed the Super Cup and Copa del Rey titles at the expense of Real Madrid, but they want more.
Barcelona can still win the quadruple and will be eager to swat Madrid aside to claim their third trophy.
The frontline of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal has been impeccable. All three are highly rated candidates for the next Ballon d’Or award.
Barca captain Raphinha has gone up a level since switching to the left flank.
He has bagged 30 goals and 25 assists this season, proving a difference-maker for the 27-time La Liga champions.
Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski continues to age like fine wine. He currently leads the Pichichi race and will need to add to his tally to stave off competition from Kylian Mbappe.
Teenager Lamine Yamal has been sensational. His playmaking ability belies his experience, and he is a thorn in the flesh of every side he faces.
The trio can tear Madrid a new one, especially if they find their groove. Containing this attacking trio will be high on the priority list for Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Fortunately, Madrid also have an admirable arsenal, with Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Kylian Mbappe.
The problem is that they are inconsistent this season. The trio and Jude Bellingham have blown hot and cold.
Vinicius continues to be plagued by the poor decision-making that affected his game in his earlier days in Madrid.
His international teammate Rodrygo has lost his spark this season, and rumours are swirling that the club is open to offloading him in the summer window.
Bellingham had an excellent year that lacked consistency. It did not help that it was always compared to his breakout campaign.
Summer signing Mbappe has been delivering the goods but is still not close to his best.
Fans know there is another level he can reach. They have gotten on his back in recent games.
The quartet must band together and produce better performances to avoid being completely swept under the carpet by Barca.
Head to Head
Barcelona mauled Madrid in their last league meeting. They played out a calm first half, but the second 45 erupted into life when Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace in two minutes.
Raphinha and Yamal scored to complete a 4-0 rout. It was the first of four beatings Barca would give Madrid, and Los Blancos need a result on enemy territory to save face.
Madrid did get a fantastic result in Catalonia last term as Bellingham netted a second-half brace to seal a memorable win. They need his magic against this rampant Barca team.
Best XIs
Barcelona
Wojciech Szczesny should start in goal for Barcelona. The Polish stopper brings leadership and sharp reflexes to a backline that must be on high alert.
Teenage sensation Pau Cubarsi lines up in central defence alongside Inigo Martinez.
Jules Kounde is out, and Flick might opt for Eric Garcia in his stead. Left-back Alejandro Balde should be back for this El Clasico showdown.
Frenkie de Jong will anchor the team, dictating the tempo and linking defence to attack.
Pedri operates slightly ahead, weaving passes through tight spaces, while Dani Olmo adds flair and directness between the lines.
On the wings, Raphinha and Yamal provide danger in very different ways. They can unbalance any defence when in full flight.
Lewandowski should return from his injury to lead the line for the Blaugrana. He will be looking to close the season as the leading scorer, and a goal against Madrid would not hurt.
(4-3-3): Szczesny; Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde, Garcia; Pedri, Olmo, De Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Yamal.
Real Madrid
Veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be the last line of defence against Barcelona in ten days.
Makeshift full-backs Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga will likely be the go-to choice for Ancelotti, with Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy sidelined.
Raul Asencio could partner Jesus Vallejo in central defence. Injuries have ravaged Madrid’s rearguard, with Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, and David Alaba out of action.
Aurelien Tchouameni, Bellingham, and Luka Modric combine athleticism with intelligent ball use. They break up play and launch attacks, forming the engine room.
Vinicius, Mbappe, and Rodrygo feast on space and can turn defenders inside out. Their pace and flair make them deadly on the break, and Barcelona must be wary.
(4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Vallejo, Camavinga; Bellingham, Tchouameni, Modric; Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrygo.
Ticket info
Ready to feel the excitement of La Liga action in person? Secure your tickets through official club websites to get access.
For great deals and a wide range of seating options, especially for Barcelona tickets, visit Seatsnet.com, a secondary marketplace for finding tickets to every La Liga fixture.
How to Watch
You can catch all the La Liga action in the UK on the official LaLigaTV channel, available through the Premier Sports Player and Amazon Prime Video.
Both platforms offer a 30-day free trial for new users. Also, selected matches will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 1 and ITV4.
