Five reasons not to miss El Clasico this weekend

FC Barcelona will look to clinch their second straight league title at the Spotify Camp Nou.

The Spotify Camp Nou is set to host to the biggest game in Europe this weekend, as LaLiga EA SPORTS leaders FC Barcelona take on second-placed Real Madrid on Sunday.

With Los Azulgranas aiming to clinch their second straight title and Los Blancos looking to double their league wins over Hansi Flick’s side this season, the upcoming clash is expected to captivate fans from all around the world. 

Here’s a look at five reasons why you can’t miss Sunday’s high-stakes El Clasico.

FC BARCELONA COULD MATHEMATICALLY SECURE THE TITLE

A day after grabbing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over CA Osasuna, the Catalan side saw Real Madrid beat RCD Espanyol 2-0 on Sunday. Should Álvaro Arbeloa’s men have dropped points away at Los Pericos, FC Barcelona would have already been mathematically crowned champions.

This means that Barça now have the opportunity to clinch the silverware on Sunday by avoiding defeat on home soil. Should the hosts win or draw on Sunday, Flick’s side will be able to celebrate the title in front of their fans.

And the chance to do so against their fierce rivals may well fuel his players with extra motivation ahead of the second El Clasico of the season.

THE FIRST El Clasico AT THE NEW SPOTIFY CAMP NOU

Following their return to the renovated Spotify Camp Nou after more than two and a half years, FC Barcelona have turned their home ground into a fortress. The Catalans have won 16 of their last 17 home games across all competitions, including 12 straight in the league.

In fact, FC Barcelona have not dropped a single point in Catalonia, where they have registered a club record 17 straight wins in as many league games this term. On Sunday, they will have the opportunity to welcome Real Madrid back to the Spotify Camp Nou for the first time since 2023 in their bid to complete a perfect home record this term.

Never before has #El Clasico been the title-winning match 🏆 Will history be made tonight? 🇪🇸#SSLaLiga pic.twitter.com/Rt7l6MkaNI — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 10, 2026

WHO WILL STOP AN IN-FORM VINÍCIUS?

The Brazilian winger stepped up in Kylian Mbappé’s absence against RCD Espanyol by netting a brace to help the visitors get back to winning ways. Vinícius has netted 10 goals, including three braces, in his last 12 games across all competitions.

He has now bagged 15 league goals, making him Real Madrid’s second-top scorer behind the France international.

With Mbappé a major doubt ahead of El Clasico, FC Barcelona are aware that neutralising Vinícius could pave the way for victory. It now remains to be seen if they will manage to shut down Real Madrid’s most in-form player.

JUDE BELLINGHAM’S CURIOUS RECORD V FC BARCELONA

The hosts may want to focus on shutting down Vinícius, but they will also need to minimise Bellingham’s impact. A key player in Arbeloa’s system, the Englishman connects midfield with attack with calmness and precision.

Meanwhile, his record against Los Azulgranas proves that Flick’s side need to be especially cautious with him, as Bellingham has bagged four goals and one assist in five league games against the Catalans.

In fact, Real Madrid have won each of the three games in which he has found the back of the net, with FC Barcelona coming out victorious from the two matches where they limited him to zero goal contributions.

RAPHINHA’S EAGERLY AWAITED RETURN FROM INJURY

An injury during the March international break forced Raphinha to miss six straight games across all competitions before making the bench as an unused sub in Saturday’s win over CA Osasuna.

FC Barcelona have missed the Brazilian winger, who amassed 19 goals and eight assists in all competitions this term. Despite injuries limiting him to just 20 league games, Raphinha has managed to reach double digits in scoring with 11 goals.

It now remains to be seen whether he’ll be included in the starting XI or feature off the bench, but, either way, FC Barcelona fans will be happy to see their star forward return to action on Sunday.