Barcelona vs Real Madrid tips: El Clasico predictions & odds
Barcelona vs Real Madrid betting tips:
Barcelona and Real Madrid have the chance to deliver the first blow of the LaLiga title race as they face off in El Clasico on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium.
Both teams have had strong starts to the season, but Los Blancos sit top of the standings after taking 25 points from their opening 10 matches.
The Catalan club are a point behind them, but Xavi and his team know a win over their rivals could lift them to the summit.
The latest edition of El Clasico promises to be a thriller amid rising stars from both sides. Jude Bellingham has become an integral cog in Carlo Ancelotti’s side following his summer move from Borussia Dortmund.
The England midfielder will be desperate to make his mark on his debut in the poignant fixture.
Barca also have a number of players that are thriving at a young age in their ranks. Lamine Yamal has produced eye-catching displays this term, while Fermin Lopez and Marc Guiu have scored important goals in the last two matches.
El Clasico never disappoints and there will certainly be no shortage of drama even in the less-than familiar surroundings of the Olympic Stadium rather than Camp Nou.
After looking at the best football betting sites, here are our El Clasico predictions.
Bellingham to make his El Clasico mark
Bellingham has made a dream start to his Real Madrid career, scoring 11 goals in 12 appearances in all competitions. The 20-year-old has been the driving force behind Madrid’s strong start to the campaign, notching goals at crucial times for Ancelotti’s men.
Bellingham hit the ground running as he scored five goals in his first four LaLiga games, and he has carried on his momentum to lead the scoring charts in the Spanish top flight.
It has eased any potential concerns for Ancelotti about his team’s performance in the final third following Karim Benzema’s departure.
The midfielder is a player that thrives under the spotlight, and there’s no bigger occasion in Spanish football than El Clasico.
He will relish the hostile atmosphere, having thrived for Dortmund in similar games as well as for England in their recent contests against Scotland and Italy.
New betting sites have appealing odds for Bellingham to mark his El Clasico debut with a goal, and we’re backing him to score any time with BetMGM at 23/10.
Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals
El Clasico rarely disappoints for goalmouth action, so we could be in line for another breathtaking contest. Both sides are stacked with talent in the final third.
We’ve already mentioned Bellingham’s impact for Los Blancos, but fellow new signing Joselu has been extremely valuable in providing the spearhead following Benzema’s exit.
Vinicius Junior has not been at his best this season, mustering only two goals and an assist in seven LaLiga matches.
But, the Brazilian can spark out of nowhere, so the hosts will have to be on their guard.
All four of Barcelona’s clean sheets this term have come at the Olympic Stadium through a variety of defensive combinations as Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Inigo Martinez and Ronald Araujo have all split time at centre-back.
Madrid always seem to find a way, and five out of the last six Clasico league games have seen both teams score, with the only exception being Barca’s 4-0 triumph at the Bernabeu in 2022.
Los Blancos have the best defensive record in the division entering the game, but the news that Robert Lewandowski could be fit for the contest will be a massive boost for Xavi’s men.
The Pole has missed time with an ankle injury that has left Barca short on options in the final third.
Before his injury, Lewandowski had netted six goals in the campaign in all competitions. Although Fermin, Guiu, Yamal and Ferran Torres all stepped up in his absence, Lewandowski’s return could help Barca breach the Madrid backline.
We’re backing both teams to score and for over 2.5 goals to be scored at 4/5 with BoyleSports.
Will there be a red card in El Clasico?
El Clasico can be a fiery affair and tempers can run hot given the magnitude of the occasion. However, red cards have been rare in the fixture as only one has been brandished in the last 16 meetings.
Casemiro was the last man to be sent off in El Clasico, which came all the way back in April 2021 in a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid.
Sergio Ramos’ exit from Real Madrid has taken a lot of friction from the contest. The former Madrid defender holds the record for the most yellow and red cards in El Clasico history with 22 and five respectively.
Although there are players that can push the boundaries on occasion, such as Barcelona’s Gavi, they have some way to go before they can match Ramos’ disciplinary record.
Both teams have been relatively well behaved this season. Barcelona have collected two red cards this term courtesy of Raphinha and Gavi, while Nacho Fernandez has been Real’s solitary dismissal.
We’re backing both teams to keep 11 men on the field with UK bookmakers at price of 2/5 with bet365.
Simon Sinclair is an experienced sports journalist, who has written for national publications for football, cricket, NFL and many more. He contributes tips on a wide range of sports for The Independent.
