The Independent
·26 October 2024
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Yahoo sportsThe Independent
·26 October 2024
Real Madrid and Barcelona resume their rivalry in the first El Clasico of the season.
The two Spanish giants arrive at a crucial early-season fixture full of confidence after excellent midweek Champions League wins, with hat-tricks for a couple of Brazilian stars in Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Barcelona’s Raphinha.
The pair have made strong starts in La Liga, with the hosts unbeaten yet three points behind Hansi Flick’s side after ten games.
A win for either here would be a significant blow in the early exchanges of another title fight.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Real Madrid vs Barcelona?
Real Madrid vs Barcelona is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Saturday 26 October at the Bernabeu.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Premier Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7.45pm BST. Subscribers can stream via the Premier Sports app or website.
Team news
Thibaut Courtois is set to miss the game after a recurrence of an adductor injury, leaving Andriy Lunin to deputise as he did so impressively during the Belgian’s long lay off last season. Rodrygo also appears likely to be unvailable having suffered a groin issue, but a fit-again Brahim Diaz could bolster Carlo Ancelotti’s forward options.
Eric Garcia missed Barcelona’s win against Bayern Munich and is a doubt again. Marc-André ter Stegen (knee), Ronald Araujo (hamstring), Ferran Torres (hamstring), Andreas Christensen (Achilles) and Marc Bernal (knee) are long-term absentees.
Predicted line-ups
Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Tchouameni, Modric, Valverde; Mbappe, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr.
Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Odds
Real Madrid win 21/20
Draw 31/10
Barcelona win 12/5