Barcelona vs Real Madrid

One of the most heavily anticipated fixtures in La Liga takes place at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys as Barcelona and Real Madrid go head-to-head in a top-table six-pointer.

Left to lick their wounds after a Champions League semi-final heartache against Inter Milan, Barcelona must dust themselves off as their La Liga title hopes are on the line in the most exciting fixture on the European football schedule. Hansi Flick’s charges boast a four-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid and head into proceedings on a four-game winning streak in La Liga. Confidence remains at an all-time high after Los Blaugranas denied their arch-rivals in the Super Cup and Copa del Rey finals while beating them 4-0 in the reverse fixture. That marked Barcelona’s largest winning margin in a league edition of El Clasico since 2022. Furthermore, not losing a single home match in 2025 suggests they’re well-positioned to complete a league double over Los Blancos. 

In the meantime, curtailing Barcelona’s title dream would be a fitting way for departing Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti to drop the curtain on his trophy-laden second stint in Spain’s capital. The famous Italian tactician has hauled 15 trophies and will be out to keep Real’s league crown hopes alive by blowing the title race wide open. Los Blancos can record five consecutive La Liga victories for the first time since May 2024, with confidence coming from an impressive run of three wins from their previous four La Liga H2Hs on Barcelona’s home soil. However, Los Merengues have struggled against the division’s heavy hitters this term, going winless in all three league meetings with Barca and Atletico Madrid (D2, L1).