A Real Madrid v Barça match makes the world sit up and take notice. There’s the big rivalry, the top players, and there is always so much interest, especially at then moment with the league positions being so tight. There are also different stats and interesting facts around the match and we take a look a 10 of them ahead of the big game.
1. One win away from drawing level
A victory for Barça would mean a tie with Real Madrid for all-time Clásico wins. The blaugranes have won 104 times, while the all-whites have 105 wins.
2. Four wins in a row
The Catalans ran out winners in the last four matches against the Madrilenians, with special nights like the 0-4 at the Bernabéu stadium or when Koundé scored the late winner in the Copa del Rey final last season. Another win for Barça on Sunday would equal Pep Guardiola’s record of five straight wins.
3. Highest goalscoring teams in LaLiga
The Bernabéu stadium is set to host the two highest scoring teams in the Spanish top flight. FC Barcelona have scored 24 goals so far this season, while Real Madrid have scored 20.
4. Possible debuts
When considering every player to have played at least once this season, it is their first chance to play in a Clásico for some. Six could potentially make their debuts in the game for Barça – Rashford, Roony, Marc Bernal, Jofre Torrents, Dro and Toni Fernández – whereas Real Madrid have five possible debuts – Dean Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras, Franco Mastantuono, Gonzalo García and the now fit Alexander-Arnold.
5. Lamine Yamal, the blaugrana threat
The Catalan always has Real Madrid in his sights. He scored three goals and provided two assists in four games against the all-whites last season.
6. Special edition Ed Sheeran jersey
Barça will play the Clásico wearing the jersey featuring the Play logo from the album by Ed Sheeran, following on from previous occasions when other artists like Coldplay and Travis Scott were featured. The women’s team already wore the jersey last week and it bodes well, as they won 2-0 against Granada.
7. Kylian Mbappé in form
The French forward leads the attack for Real Madrid. Across LaLiga and the Champions League, Mbappé has scored 15 goals and provided two assists in 12 games. He has also scored 11 goals in eight matches against FC Barcelona in all competitions combined for Real Madrid and PSG. A real threat for the blaugranes.
8. First plays second
The Clásico at the Bernabéu will decide who leads the Spanish Primera División. Real Madrid are currently first with 24 points (seven wins and one defeat). Barça have 22 points (seven wins, one draw and one defeat), so a blaugrana victory would see Flick’s side leaders once again.
9. Real Madrid solid at home
Real Madrid have won their last eight home games in LaLiga, and haven’t won nine or more consecutive home games in the competition since February 2015 when Carlo Ancelotti was coach.
10. Mbappé and Rashford take most shots
The Frenchman and Englishman are likely to have key roles in the match. The Real Madrid man has taken 47 shots so far this season, many more than his other teammates. Barça’s leading shot taker is this season’s new signing Marcus Rashford with 27.
