Barcelona vs Real Madrid: preview
We have the lineups for the Barcelona and Real Madrid match in the 10th round of the 2026/27 Spanish league.
"Barcelona" has earned 100% of the points and leads with a five‑point advantage over second‑placed "Atlético". "Real" is in third place, one point behind "Atlético".
Key points
Barcelona
1. "Barcelona" gave up to "PSG", thinking about the "Clásico"
The streak of 11 consecutive wins at the start of the season was broken – the Catalans lost to "PSG" (2:4) in the third match of the Champions League regular phase. Several factors were at play. "Barça" fell under intense pressure, did not take advantage of its attacking opportunities and played with a secondary squad: Hansi Flick had the "Clásico" in mind, which is more important from a tournament perspective – the gap with "Real" could widen to nine points. While against "PSG" Rodri only arrived in the second half (they never spent a second together with Pedri on the pitch), and after the match the captain Rafinha and Flick gave calm comments, despite the defeat, the "Clásico" and the mentality and squad will be much more combative.
2. Olmo left, Kunda did not recover
In the first half of the match against "PSG" Dani Olmo was injured and will miss a month. Eric García and Andreas Christensen remain injured, and Juel Kunda almost certainly will not recover in time. Therefore the defensive flanks will again be covered by Joao Cancelo and Xavi Espart – the latter already kept Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and will now score against Jan Diamonde. On Monday the "ZM" award will be presented, so Lamín Yamal will push at 100 % – he is in excellent shape: he stands out for his productive actions in ten consecutive matches (11+10 goals+assists).
3. At home "Barcelona" has not lost points for more than a year
"Barça" won four of the last five away matches, but in each had problems, totaling ten goals. At home the Catalans are much more secure: they won all five matches, conceded five goals and scored 22. In La Liga, at home "Barça" has not lost points since the start of the 2025/26 season – in 23 consecutive games (average 3.2 goals per game). In the last two home matches against "Real" "Barça" won (4:3 and 2:0).
Real Madrid
1. "Real" played two good matches, but gets worse away
After the unremarkable match against "Roma" (4:3), where they only managed the finish, "Real" secured two solid victories: they beat "Sevilla" (4:1) and "Leipzig" (4:1). However, they did it at the "Santiago Bernabéu", where from the start of the season they have had no problems (seven matches, seven wins, and in five of them they scored four goals). In five away matches, "Real" lost to "Betis" (0:1) and "Atlético" (1:2). On the road the problems of "Real" are clearly shown: difficulties to get out of pressure and to finish: with 11.66 xG and 20 goal moments, only ten goals were scored.
2. Vinícius will not play, but it is better that way
Ferland Mendy, Rodrigo and Raúl Alonsio remain injured, and Vinícius Júnior is suspended for four matches. Therefore, on the left flank of the attack will appear the in‑form Jan Diamonde – he has 3+3 goals+assists in the last four matches. Eduardo Camavinga is in form and aims for a place in the core. Mainly because of the transfer of Federico Valverde to the right flank – it is preferable for José Mourinho that Denzel Dumfries and Trent Alexander‑Arnold play there.
3. "Barcelona" annoys "Real", although the odds are
The only defeat of the season for "Barça" was in the match against "PSG", which pressured the Catalans in an exemplary way. "Real" cannot exert that pressure: in La Liga they are only 15th in pressure intensity. All five secure victories of "Real" this season were achieved, surpassing opponents in possession; in La Liga they are second in that indicator. But at the "Camp Nou" it is unlikely they will take the initiative. Perhaps the negative load works: because of Negreira’s situation, Florentino Pérez will not be present in the game, and Mourinho heats the atmosphere through the media. If "Real" strikes with hard football and breaks "Barça"’s game structure, reducing everything to chaos on the field, they will have opportunities – especially on counter‑attacks.
Estimated lineups
4-2-3-14-2-3-11
Garcia2
Cancelo18
Martin5
Kubarsi12
Espart8
Pedi16
Ernandes17
Gordon7
Lopez10
Yamal11
Rafinha1
Kurto8
Valverde16
Conate4
Haysen17
Kukurelya14
Tchouameni6
Camavinga15
Gyuler5
Bellinger25
Dianonde10
Mbappé
Betting on the trend
"Barcelona" won five of the last six matches against "Real". Bet: P1 at 1.60.
In four of the last six matches between "Barcelona" and "Real" at least five goals were scored. Bet: TB 4.5 at 2.12.
Prediction
Barcelona vs Real Madrid 25.10.2026 23:00
"Barcelona" lost to "PSG" (2:4), their 11‑match winning streak was interrupted. However, Flick built the squad with the "Clásico" in mind, which the Catalans will play with the base and a special attitude. They will play at home, where in the 2026/27 season they won all five matches, conceded five goals and scored 22. In the series, "Barça" wins in 23 consecutive matches, scoring an average of 3.2 goals per game. There are losses, but the base is in order – the strongest will play. "Real" secured two solid victories, but it was at the "Santiago Bernabéu". Away, the Madrilenians are much weaker: in five away matches, "Real" lost to "Betis" (0:1) and "Atlético" (1:2), with three wins. On the road the problems of this "Real" are clearly shown: difficulties to get out of pressure and to finish. The main weapon against this "Barça" is pressure, with which "Real" cannot boast – in pressure intensity they are only 15th in the series. Yes, the emotional load and counter‑attacks can work, but at home "Barça" must win.
Prediction: 4-2
