How to watch Real Madrid vs Barcelona live: stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction

El Clasico is always huge, but this clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday feels bigger than any other game they have had in recent years.

Reigning Spanish and European champions Real Madrid have shown some breakthroughs at the start of the season but always seem to find a way to make it happen. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have suffered some serious defensive injuries but their superstar strikers continue to perform well. Vinicius Junior scored a hat-trick to lead them to a 5-2 comeback Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund in midweek after Real lost 2-0 to the team they beat in the final last season. Kylian Mbappe is just warming up at Real and Jude Bellingham isn’t quite hitting his stride this season, but you know they’ll be ready to go in Madrid this weekend.

Barcelona have been ready to take off all season under new coach Hansi Flick. Nine out of 10 wins in La Liga take them top of the table, three points clear of Real, and they beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek to further boost confidence. Veteran Robert Lewandowski continues to deliver and Raphinha, who scored a hat-trick against Bayern, has been excellent so far this season. Barcelona have so many players who have been given new life under Flick and then there is Lamine Yamal, who leads the group of talented young players who will lead the way for Barcelona in the coming years. Barca seem to be back and a clear win at Real Madrid would confirm this.

How to watch Real Madrid vs Barcelona live, with stream link, TV channel and start time

Kick-off time: 3:00 p.m. ET Saturday (October 26)
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu – Madrid
Here’s how to watch: Watch on ESPN Deportes, Stream on ESPN+

Real Madrid team news, Focus

David Alaba is out until January with his cruciate ligament injury, while Dani Carvajal is out for the season with an also serious knee injury. Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo should be ready to go. Brahim Diaz is out with a thigh injury. Using Vinicius Jr., Bellingham, Rodrygo and Mbappe in the same team could create balance problems, but Real Madrid have so many experienced players that it works. Veteran Luka Modric is unlikely to be in the starting lineup after he started against Borussia Dortmund in midweek. Eduardo Camavinga or Aurelien Tchouameni are likely to play alongside Fede Valverede in midfield.

Barcelona team news, focus

Barca have so many talented young players starting or coming off the bench, with Lamine Yamal being the first choice, while he, Fermin Lopez and Raphinha Lewandowski support up front. Pedri dominates the central midfield and it really feels like Barcelona have returned to their core identity. Goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen is out for the season, while defenders Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo are still out and Eric Garcia is also working on getting fit. Ferran Torres is also missing, and if Barca get all of these players (ter Stegen’s agent) back in the next few months, their pursuit of La Liga and Champions League titles will be strengthened.

Prediction Real Madrid vs Barcelona

It feels like it’s going to be chaotic as always, and with Barcelona feeling confident and feeling like they can hurt Real Madrid, that can only be a good thing for this rivalry. Expect lots of goals and an even finish. Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona.