It's time for El Clásico! All you need to know about Barça vs. Madrid, the biggest match in club soccer
Barcelona host Real Madrid in the 265th El Clásico on Sunday with the all-time head-to-head level at 106 wins each; ESPN's experts both back Barça to win.
The season's first El Clásico is almost here. Barcelona host Real Madrid on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET (live on ABC and ESPN+) in the 265th edition of the biggest match in club soccer, ESPN's Alex Kirkland and Sam Marsden report.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have met 264 times since their first competitive meeting, and they could hardly be more evenly matched: both clubs have won 106 of those meetings. The balance of power had been shifting toward Madrid, but Hansi Flick's arrival at Barcelona two years ago changed things, and the Catalan side drew level in the all-time head-to-head last time out.
Barça are very much the team to beat in Spain again. They kicked off the campaign with 11 straight wins before a midweek defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, and they are bidding to become the first side to win three straight LaLiga titles, powered by Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Rodri.
Real Madrid, back under José Mourinho after 13 years away, are six points behind their rivals. There are doubts over Vinícius Júnior for the Camp Nou trip, but with Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham in attack, Madrid can't be discounted.
The key clashes to watch: Lamine Yamal vs Marc Cucurella, and Arda Güler vs Rodri. ESPN's combined XI leans heavily toward Barça: Thibaut Courtois in goal; Federico Valverde, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín and Marc Cucurella in defense; Rodri and Pedri in midfield; and Yamal, Bellingham, Raphinha and Mbappé in attack.
Both experts predict a Barcelona win — 3-1 per Marsden and 4-2 per Kirkland. DraftKings odds: Barcelona -155, Real Madrid +290, draw +450.
Source: ESPN — Top Headlines — TrendWire reports stories in its own words; facts should be confirmed against the original source.