This article contains affiliate links to advertisers. The analysis is our own. Gamble responsibly, 18+
One of the most eagerly awaited games of the season is upon us, the Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Both teams have been less than dominant in the league recently, but they are clinging to the good moments that have seen them defeat dogged opposition and earn their recent victories.
An added spice for this match comes in the midst of the battle for the lead. Real Madrid are top of La Liga EA Sports with 24 points, and Barça are second with 22. The battle for the lead is increasingly becoming a two-horse race, as third-placed Villarreal are five points behind Barça before this week's fixtures.
Madrid's good results this year, combined with playing at home, make them favourites at the bookmakers, but Flick's Barcelona managed to win all four derbies last season, and did so scoring a whopping 16 goals, so another big battle is expected on Sunday.
Real Madrid v Barcelona: Sunday, Oct 26, 15:15 GMT
Over 2.5 goals with goals from both sides - 1/2 @ bet365
Kylian Mbappé to score - 8/13 @ bet365
Marcus Rashford to score or assist - 20/21 @ bet365
Fermin Lopez over 0.5 shots on target - 8/15 @ bet365
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publication and subject to change.
Festival of goals
While it is true that Real Madrid's last two games have had just one goal each, it is no less true that these two teams are two attacking dynamos who are not quite at their best at the back, despite Courtois' fine game against Juventus. These two teams are among the four sides with the most games over 2.5 total goals in La Liga before this matchday. Barça are atop that table with eight out of nine games featuring three or more goals, and Madrid is tied for third with six out of nine. They are the two top-scoring teams - 24 for Barça and 20 for Los Blancos - and both average one goal conceded or more per game - nine goals in nine games for Alonso and 10 in nine for Flick.
The Culés, moreover, have not kept a clean sheet for more than a month, the last coming on September 21 against Getafe (3-0), and their last six matches have had three or more goals and goals with both teams scoring. To emphasise the point, nine of the last 12 derbies have had three or more goals and both sides have scored.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals with both sides scoring - 1/2 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet is a winner if there are three or more total goals and both teams score.
Another day, anoter Mbappé goal
The undoubted leader of Los Blancos' attack, Kylian Mbappé, is having a tremendous start to the season. Despite not finding the back of the net against Juventus, he has already scored 18 goals for club and country this season, and the clash against the Turin side was only his second blank of the season. Barcelona's risky defensive high line suits him far better than Juve's low block, and he will certainly have a good chance of beating Szczesny, the goalkeeper Barça will field due to Joan Garcia's injury, who, in principle, would be a bigger threat to this prediction.
Furthermore, Kylian Mbappé already knows what it's like to score goals against Barça in a Madrid shirt, having scored no fewer than five goals against the Culés in the last three Clasicos last season, and was the standout performer in Madrid's poor run of results against their arch-rivals in those games.
Tip: Kylian Mbappé to score - 8/13 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet is a winner if Mbappé scores at least one goal during the match.
Marcus Rashford, an ace in the Barça attack
Marcus Rashford, one of the great talents of Manchester United's youth academy in recent years, is back to his best at Barcelona. He has shown he can play up front or, as he is likely to do at the Bernabeu, as a winger, where he is more capable of exploiting his pace and dribbling. It is an open secret that he set himself the challenge of reaching a figure of between 30 and 40 direct goal contributions in all competitions this season, and he is approaching those figures at cruising speed.
Rashford has five goals and five assists this campaign, and is drawing a lot of fouls and corners, making it easier for him to provide assists. The Englishman has scored or assisted in eight of his nine appearances for Barça in all competitions, and comes to the Bernabeu on the back of a brace against Olympiacos in the Champions League.
Tip: Marcus Rashford scores or assists - 20/21 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet is a winner if Rashford scores or assists in the match.
Bonus track: Fermin to score a goal
We thought these odds were a real steal because of how easy it could be to fulfil. Fermín López, if he doesn't get injured, will be a starter in the Clásico. The Andalusian is liked by Flick and, with Olmo injured, he has little competition for a starting place. He brings many things that other Barça midfielders do not have, such as stepping into the box and is the midfielder with the highest goalscoring average in the history of Barcelona, emphasised with a spectacular hat-trick against Olympiacos. Fermín has had a shot on target in three of the last four games in which he has played at least 45 minutes. In addition, he arrives with a lot of desire, as in the last Clásico, he had a goal disallowed for a controversial handball.
Tip: Fermín López over 0.5 shots on target - 8/15 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet is a winner if Fermin Lopez has at least one shot on target in the match.
Real Madrid v Barcelona odds
Real Madrid win - 1/1 @ bet365
Odds, correct at time of publication, are subject to change.
Discover the best betting bonuses
Flashscore is your best partner for your LaLiga EA Sports 2025-26 sports betting. On our betting bonuses page, you can take advantage of some of the best promotions and welcome bonuses on the market.
Odds, correct at time of publication, are subject to change.