Barcelona vs Real Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have an El Clasico that is of even more significance than usual as it could all but end the title race in La Liga – but it could also make it come to life with just a few weeks of the season to go.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 11th May, 2025: UK – 3:15pm / US ET – 10:15am / US PT – 7:15am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Barcelona vs Real Madrid may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Barcelona Preview: Treble dream is over
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona appeared as though they were already in the UEFA Champions League final but the Blaugrana conceded a Francesco Acerbi equaliser deep into second-half stoppage-time in midweek to take their semi-final with Internazionale into extra-time.
In extra-time, after 180 minutes of simply magnificent football in which the aggregate score sat at 6-6 after back-to-back three-all draws, it was to be the Italian champions that stole a march thanks a winner from second-half of normal time substitute Davide Frattesi.
Real Madrid Preview: Salvaging the season
With that dramatic affair at San Siro, Real Madrid will have been watching on from the Spanish capital quite content in the knowledge that their arch-rivals will not only be physically fatigued by that clash in Milan but also potentially emotionally scarred by the dramatic turnaround.
Carlo Ancelotti is expected to depart for the Brazilian national team at the end of this season but Los Blancos remain just about in La Liga’s title race as they sit four points behind Barcelona ahead of the showdown at Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys in Catalonia this weekend.
Barcelona Team News: Lewa still a doubt
Poland captain Robert Lewandowski came off the bench against Inter in midweek but he didn’t seem fit and the veteran striker will have to be viewed as a doubt having suffered a hamstring injury just a couple of weeks ago.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Gerard Martin; Pedri, De Jong; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Ferran Torres
Unavailable: Kounde (Injured), Alex Balde (Injured), Marc Bernal (Injured), Marc Casado (Injured), Dani Rodriguez (Injured)
Questionable: Lewandowski (Fitness)
Real Madrid Team News: Defensive injuries
Real Madrid are extremely limited in terms of their available defensive personnel as centre-backs David Alaba, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger are all sidelined alongside full-back duo Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Tchouameni, Raul Asencio, Fran Garcia; Dani Ceballos, Fede Valverde; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe
Unavailable: Alaba (Injured), Militao (Injured), Rudiger (Injured), Dani Carvajal (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Camavinga (Injured)
Questionable: Rodrygo (Injured)
Barcelona vs Real Madrid Prediction
We had another crucial Clasico a couple of weeks ago as Barcelona defeated Real Madrid by three goals to two after extra-time in a thrilling Copa del Rey final. The amount of football that Barca are having to play at the moment will hurt them with their intense style and high-line. Madrid began to show signs that they had figured out how to play it at La Cartuja in the final but they themselves remain susceptible to the sheer quality of Barca’s play and, with home advantage, it is the perfect game for Barca to lift themselves off the floor. A home win remains the likeliest outcome for what should be another thriller in Catalonia.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid Tip: Barcelona to win & both teams to score
