Barcelona vs Real Madrid Predictions

• Real Madrid have lost only one of their opening nine games in La Liga
• Barca have dropped points in two of their last four league matches
• Both teams have scored in seven of the last ten competitive meetings

Real can seize the initiative at the La Liga summit

The first El Clasico of the season could have a huge say on the outright betting in La Liga as victory for Real Madrid would see them move four points clear of their fierce rivals Barcelona at the top.

Barca have won all five of their league matches at home this season but their temporary fix at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Company will be less intimidating for Real than a trip to the Camp Nou would have been.

So with the Catalan giants not at full strength with Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto watching on from the stands and Robert Lewandowski unlikely to be at 100 per cent having missed their last three matches, this is a good opportunity for the visitors.

Real too have their injury concerns with the absences of Belgian shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois and Brazilian centre-back Eder Militao weakening a trusty defensive unit.

Both had midweek Champions League fixtures to contend with also, although Real have had an extra day’s rest following their 2-1 win in Braga.

Visitors’ forward talent gives them the edge

With England’s star of the future Jude Bellingham, who has grabbed eight goals in his first nine games for the Spanish giants, in behind Brazilian double act, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, Real’s frontline has to be more feared than Barca’s.

Real’s only dropped points this season have come on away trips to city neighbours Atletico, where they were beaten 3-1, as well as last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Sevilla.

But they have also won 3-0 at Girona, who went into this weekend level on points with Carlo Ancelotti’s side, and in the Champions League they triumphed 3-2 away at Napoli.

Barca remain unbeaten in all competitions. However, of Barca’s ten wins domestically and in Europe this season, seven have been by a single goal which shows that they are perhaps fortunate to be in the position they find themselves in.

Real, therefore, look the most likely winners and at 10-11 on the draw no bet market they make plenty of appeal.

Correct-score bettors can plunge for a 2-1 win given both teams have scored in seven of the last ten competitive meetings.