Preview: FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid – Team news and prediction

El Clásico will take place at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys this Saturday.

The biggest match of the year and the most-watched football game in the world is taking place today when Barcelona hosts Real Madrid. Real Madrid currently leads the league with 25 points, while FC Barcelona has 24, making this the battle for the top spot. Camp Nou is under renovation, so the match is being played at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, which can accommodate around 55,000 spectators. Barcelona is the reigning champion, so Real Madrid's goal is to win La Liga this year to prevent Barcelona from establishing a championship streak.

Last five meetings between Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: 
0-4: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
2-1: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
0-1: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
1-3: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
3-1: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona 

Barcelona has won three out of the last four head-to-head encounters and holds a slight edge before today's match. On paper, it's difficult to determine who is stronger now, so it could turn out to be a close and intense match, as we've seen in the past.

Team news: 
Jules Kounde, Sergi Roberto, and Pedri are not available for Xavi when he's setting the starting lineup. Joao Felix had to leave the match against Shakhtar but is ready for the game, while it appears that Raphinha is also ready to be part of the squad despite a hamstring injury. Frenkie de Jong and Lewandowski had some minor issues during the week but trained on Friday and are part of the squad.

Carlo Ancelotti will have to do without Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, and Dani Ceballos, who are all injured. Joselu has been ill during the week, but it's expected that he will be on the bench and could be an option for Madrid during the match. Kroos has been in good form this season, and his experience is expected to be utilized in the midfield alongside Valverde and Tchouameni, which pushes Camavinga to the left-back position.

Barcelona expected lineup:
Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Araujo, Martinez, Balde; Gavi, Romeu, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Felix.

Real Madrid expected lineup: 
Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius.

Prediction: 
It's difficult to assess which of these two teams is stronger now; they are nearly at the same level, so it will undoubtedly be an intense match. Neither team wants to lose, and especially Barcelona can't afford to lose, as they would be 4 points behind. Because of this, we believe that both teams can live with a draw, so we suggest that the match ends in a draw with odds of 3.60.

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