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El Clasico, the biannual tradition pitting Spanish rivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid against one another, has finally arrived. This weekend will see the two top-3 sides clash in Catalonia in what is shaping up to a highly competitive battle. Barcelona are unbeaten so far, but Madrid top the domestic table with 25 points to their name. Read on to access an expert El Clasico prediction and explore stats on FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid head-to-head record.
- FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF, La Liga
- October 28, 2023
- 10:15 AM EST
- Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- ESPN+
El Clasico Prediction: Who do Sportsbooks Favor?
Both teams picked up 2-1 victories in their European affairs in midweek, which ultimately had little effect on the odds for this rivalry match. FC Barcelona remain favorites at (+142), for an implied probability to win of 41.3%. Their opponents are not too far behind. Real Madrid currently hold a price of (+182) at highly-rated online sportsbook BetOnline. A draw would pay out at (+275).
La Liga 
Barcelona +142 +140 +140 +138 +142 Real Madrid +182 +180 +175 +182 +176 Draw +275 +270 +270 +265 +265
To better understand the 3-way moneyline (1X2) market, see our soccer betting tips and learn to make bets online.
FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid Head to Head Record
In their recent encounters with Real Madrid, Barcelona has emerged victorious in four out of their last six competitions. However, Los Blancos won the last match at Camp Nou in a 4-0 Copa del Rey thrashing. While the outcome on Saturday won’t determine the title, achieving a positive result in these matches is typically crucial to securing a championship. Check out our site to discover more 2023 La Liga betting tips.
Why FC Barcelona is “More Than a Club”
The popular motto of FC Barcelona, “More Than a Club,” is deeply rooted in its cultural representation of the Catalonia region in Spain. This phrase, coined by former club president Narcis de Carreras in his 1968 nomination speech, is ingrained into the seats at Camp Nou. In the heart of Barcelona, a city where many inhabitants harbor strong desires for Catalonia’s independence from Spain, the football club has evolved into a symbol for these political sentiments.
Influential figures like former manager Pep Guardiola only further contribute to the public fervor. Despite the club owner’s stance against FC Barcelona being used as a “political instrument,” it appears it is challenging to restrain supporters from expressing their political aspirations through the team.
Conversely, Real Madrid exemplifies the more centralizing political tendencies, especially when considering the origin of their name (Real means “royal”, a name it briefly could not use during the era of the Republic). Idealistically, Real Madrid’s fanbase leans more conservatively, with its fanatical group Ultras Sur being very far right.
Currently, FC Barcelona is temporarily relocating its matches to Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys while Camp Nou undergoes renovations for the next two seasons. However, this stadium has a significantly smaller capacity than Camp Nou, potentially affecting the team’s motivation and confidence due to reduced attendances.
FC Barcelona Recent News and El Clasico Injury Updates
FC Barcelona’s current president John Laporta has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons recently, as he has been personally charged with suspected bribery. Over $7 million of payments made to companies connected to the former vice president of the refereeing committee, José María Enríquez Negreira, have been identified.
In other financially-related FC Barcelona news, it appears gaining new transfers will be difficult for the club this winter season. The club is in a sticky spot after going in excess of their La Liga-imposed spending limit for the 2023-24 campaign. This will make it especially difficult for a team in dire need of fresh legs.
Pedri, Jules Koundé, and Sergi Roberto are all currently unfit for the Catalan side. Frenkie de Jong and Robery Lewandowski are attempting to make the lineup, but question marks will remain regarding their availability up until kickoff. Joao Felix has made clear his intentions to participate in El Clasico despite picking up a knock in the club’s Champions League game. For Real, Dani Ceballos will remain out, joining Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao in the infirmary.
El Clasico Prediction and Free Betting Pick
Jude Bellingham has been the star of the show for Real Madrid this season, and they may need a contribution from him to be victorious in this highly-anticipated Spanish showdown. Defense should not be a concern for the capital outfit, as they have only given up 7 goals all season. Additionally, they are the healthier side, with more rest, and take a lot of confidence into the weekend after their past success in this fixture in April.
If it weren’t for the name of their opponent and the location, Real Madrid would be clear favorites. And they still should be. The current line is off and at (+182), we are getting a great number. I believe the true line is closer to (+150) for Real Madrid. Trust in them to earn a victory, but if you are not as confident as me, you can take a look at the team totals market as well. Barcelona to score under 1.5 goals is lined at (-120) at most books, which also has value.
Top Sportsbooks for El Clasico and La Liga Betting
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