Title rivals and traditional foes, Real Madrid and Barcelona, meet for the first El Clasico of the campaign today, where far more than three points are up for grabs. Both star-studded behemoths will put unbeaten records on the line in the Spanish capital in what promises to be another enthralling contest between La Liga’s current top two sides.
Below, we’ve constructed a stats pack for today’s showpiece slugfest which contains info on goals, shots, corners, cards, xG, assists and more from the clubs’ La Liga campaigns to date. As per the usual routine, we invite you to use our data to power your bet builder coupons for the game.
Predicted Lineups
Dani Ceballos is out injured for Real Madrid as is their number one keeper Thibaut Courtois. Andriy Lunin will deputise between the sticks again.
Antonio Rudiger is a doubt in defence after the German picked up a nasty head injury in midweek. David Alaba will partner Eder Militao at centre-half if Rudiger misses out.
Jules Kounde, Hector Bellerin, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen are all injured in defence for Barcelona, while Memphis Depay faces a spell on the sidelines with a muscle issue.
Raphinha’s place on the right flank is under threat following a string of underwhelming performances and Ansu Fati will be waiting to step in.
Team Stats
Real Madrid have claimed 22 points from a possible 24 this season and Los Blancos are also performing well in a number of metrics including shots for (19.25), xG for (2.53) and shots on target for (6.25) per 90.
The champions have conceded more goals than Barcelona so far, though the teams’ xG against figures suggest that Barca have been getting away with it a little in that department.
Barcelona have out-scored Real Madrid in La Liga so far this season (20 to 19), while their defensive record shines considerably more brightly (one conceded to Real’s seven).
Barca’s matches have also been card-laden with 41 brandished in total during their eight La Liga assignments.
Player Shots and shots on Target
Karim Benzema (5.20 shots p/90) is back to full fitness and the Real Madrid attack looks far more potent with the French veteran back in tow.
Brazilian wingers Vinicius Junior (3.07 shots p/90) and Rodrygo (3.68 p/90) are a couple of dangerous operators on the flanks while the energetic Federico Valverde (2.67 shots p/90) has emerged as one of Real’s most important players this term.
Robert Lewandowski (4.44 shots p/90) has looked at home in La Liga from minute one following his summer switch from Bayern Munich, while Ousmane Dembele (3.94) has found fitness and form this season.
Raphinha (4.02) has been hitting big numbers in La Liga, though his accuracy has been below standard (0.85 shots on target p/90). The versatile Sergi Roberto (1.41 shots p/90) is an interesting and consistent performer in the shots department.
Player Goals and Assists
Brazilians Vinicius Junior (five goals) and Rodrgyo (three goals) have been picking up the slack in Karim Benzema’s absence, though the returning Frenchman should sharpen the point of Real’s attack.
Federico Valverde has four goal contributions (3G, 1A) in eight La Liga appearances, while Austrian defender David Alaba has claimed more assists (three) than any of his teammates so far.
Real scored just four times in their last three La Liga fixtures and they will need to improve that output to beat Barcelona today.
Prolific Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is way out on his own as Barcelona’s leading scorer this term (9) and the 34-year-old bagged two more goals for his overall haul against Inter in the Champions League in midweek.
Midfielder Pedri was Barcelona’s match-winner against Celta Vigo last weekend, while teenagers Alejandro Balde and Ansu Fati are the club’s assists leaders in La Liga with three each.
Real Madrid Cards
Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy have all been cautioned a joint-hight twice each in La Liga this season, though there are more potent players in terms of fouls in midfield.
Aurelien Tchouameni has been conceding 1.6 fouls per 90 in the league for his new club and though Luka Modric is generally calmness personified, he is usually more aggressive in El Clasico fixtures and he was one of four Real players booked when they last played Barcelona in the league in March.
Gavi’s quick feet and slight frame can often make him a target for opponents in midfield (fouled 3.12 times per/90) and his duel against Aurelien Tchouameni looks like a physical mismatch with card potential.
Robert Lewandowski’s (2.43 fouls p/90) battle against former Bayern Munich teammate David Alaba should be of interest today, while Sergio Busquets (fouled 2.24) will continue his long-running battle with Luka Modric in the midfield battleground where we should see cards aplenty.
Match-Ups to watch
Aurelien Tchouameni vs Gavi
David Alaba vs Robert Lewandowski
Luka Modric vs Sergio Busquets
Barcelona Cards
Sergio Busquets (1.90 fouls p/90) is an El Clasico veteran and the holding midfielder is a master of football’s dark arts. Busquets has already been booked three times in six La Liga appearances and the 34-year-old was carded when Barca last played Real in the league in March.
Sergi Roberto (2.14 fouls p/90) knows how and when to get dirty in defence, while Gerard Pique’s (2.00 fouls p/90) regression in pace can often put him in awkward situations.
Wing wizard Vinicius Junior (fouled 3.21 times p/90) has the skills to make any defender look foolish and the Brazilian will be targeting Sergi Roberto today. Barcelona’s full-back could be twisted, turned and drawn into some interesting challenges.
None of the Real midfielders expected to start feature on our list of their most-fouled players, though Sergio Busquets will have his sights trained on his counterparts in white today. Federico Valverde, who is full of running, could be on the receiving end.
If Rodrgyo (fouled 2.12 times per/90) is allowed to break into the centre, then Gerard Pique could be forced into some desperate rearguard action to stop the quick Brazilian.
Match-Ups to watch
Sergio Busquets vs Federico Valverde
Sergi Roberto vs Vinicius Junior
Gerard Pique vs Rodrygo
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This fixture is always one of the highlights of the football calendar and this edition should be no different. It’ll be a feisty affair, and should be great for bet builders.
Good luck to anybody having a bet on this one, but please remember to keep it fun by keeping your stakes low.
