Head-to-head record
Real Madrid have historically maintained their advantage in most direct confrontations with Barcelona since the 1930s. During that time, both clubs had their own dominance periods: Madrid in the 1960s and Barca in the 1970s and 1980s.
However, the balance has begun to change in recent 20 years, as Los Blancos' direct head-to-head advantage has been narrowed, starting from Pep Guardiola's era at Barcelona. From 2008 to 2012, Real have won just one of their 14 meetings in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Guardiola's side had legendary 6-2 victories, 5-0 and another big win in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
Since then, achievements have become more balanced. Barcelona are unbeaten in seven El Clasicos between 2017 and 2019, before the "White Vultures" responded with a six-match unbeaten run between 2019 and 2022. However, the Blaugrana's four wins last season have taken them closer to being on par with Madrid in direct competition.
Confrontations last season
Barcelona, a bit surprised, overwhelmed Real Madrid last season. There are many questions about what coach Hansi Flick can do with a young squad. Meanwhile, Real Madrid, after winning La Liga and the Champions League, have increased their strength by adding Kylian Mbappe.
However, as usual in El Clasico matches, logic does not always win. Barcelona played excellent attack, scoring 16 goals in 4 wins against Madrid, including 2 matches in La Liga on the way to the championship. In addition, there are victories in the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
There is a feeling that Blaugrana can score at will, especially in the final El Clasico of the season, the match that officially determined the La Liga championship. After Mbappe put Los Blancos 2-0 up in just 15 minutes, Barca responded with 4 consecutive goals before the end of the first half.
The highlight of Barcelona's victories was their ability to score many goals in a short time. They also scored four goals in the second half at the Bernabeu last October, and four in the first half in the 5-2 win in the Super Cup in January.
The total score after 4 exciting and dramatic matches is 16-7 in favor of Barcelona. Currently, Flick's team is aiming to win 5 consecutive El Clasicos - the second time in the club's history, after the period 2008 2010 under Guardiola.
Predicting the game situation
The gap between the two teams last season was very significant, if not too big. The results of the matches have spoken them all. However, this season Madrid has seemed to be much better, while Barcelona has declined.
Los Blancos played more steadily, but there were still problems in defense. Xabi Alonso's biggest matches - against PSG and Atletico Madrid - have all ended in defeat. Therefore, there is still an expectation that Barcelona will create a fair match.
With a gap of only 2 points between the two teams in La Liga, a draw is probably not the worst result if they share points.
The match between Real Madrid and Barcelona takes place at 10:15 p.m. on October 26 (Vietnam time).
