Real Madrid vs Barcelona Tips: Yamal can haunt Los Blancos in Halloween Clasico
There’s a spooky subplot to Sunday’s El Clasico as Real Madrid look to exorcise the demons of four defeats in the fixture last season when Barcelona head to Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
With Halloween just days away, the Catalans will hope their young stars can cast a spell on Xabi Alonso’s men and leapfrog them at the top of La Liga.
Los Blancos lead the table by two points after nine rounds, but Barcelona’s attacking depth and recent 6-1 demolition of Olympiacos suggest they’re on the march again.
There should be fireworks, frights and a few tactical surprises in this must-see match.
Team News
Real’s defensive ranks have been haunted by injuries in the lead-up to the big game. Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy are all ruled out, while Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold are racing against time to be fit.
Federico Valverde may again deputise at right-back, with Dean Huijsen expected to start centrally. Jude Bellingham is likely to operate in a free role behind Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, who have combined for 21 goal involvements in the league this season.
Barca are also battling injury ghosts. Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are all sidelined, while manager Hansi Flick will serve a touchline ban after his red card against Girona.
Raphinha is hopeful of winning his fitness fight to feature but there is a new doubt over Frenkie de Jong after the midfielder appeared to succumb to the same illness that kept Andreas Christensen out of the Olympiacos match.
Tip 1 - Barcelona to win @ 9/4
Barcelona didn’t just win all four El Clasico’s last season, they pretty much wiped the floor with Real each time.
Flick’s side averaged four goals per game and dominated possession and shots on target on each occasion.
Alonso was brought in to change all that, but there have been some early signs of teething trouble in his tenure.
His side were battered 5-2 by Atletico Madrid in the derby less than a month ago and, while Barca also suffered a 4-1 loss at Sevilla a week later, that scoreline flattered the home side.
Alonso’s team have recently been missing chances, securing 1-0 victories against Getafe and Juventus in matches that they really should have put to bed earlier.
Barca have no such issues in attack and their players should be well rested for this clash.
They have had an extra 24 hours to prepare for the game because their Champions League clash was on Tuesday and the nature of that game meant Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde were all withdrawn from the action well before the final whistle.
Flick also has a 100 per cent record in German and Spanish Classics, having won all five clashes with Borussia Dortmund during his time with Bayern Munich, so there are plenty of reasons why the visitors can come out on top again.
Tip 2 - Lamine Yamal to assist @ 5/2
Yamal has timed his return from injury to perfection and seems to be approaching his best levels again in time for El Clasico.
He scored from the spot on Tuesday night and could have had an assist for Barca’s opener had the Olympiacos goalkeeper not got a touch before the ball fell to Fermin Lopez.
The 18-year-old has assisted goals in four of his five La Liga appearances this season.
Yamal’s dribbling and vision make him a nightmare for full-backs, and with Alvaro Carreras likely to start for the hosts, he could exploit that matchup.
His ability to cut inside and deliver precise balls into the box makes him a prime candidate for an assist.
The Spain international scored or assisted goals in all four clashes with Real Madrid last season.
Tip 3 - Over 4.5 Real Madrid offsides @ 9/10
Madrid’s vertical style under Alonso is thrilling but risky. With Mbappe and Vinícius constantly pushing the line and Bellingham threading passes through tight spaces, they’re often caught offside.
Barca’s high defensive line, orchestrated by Pau Cubarsi, will look to trap Madrid’s stars early and often.
Los Blancos’ forwards being caught in this manner was a running theme in El Clasico’s last season with a total of 21 Madrid offsides across the four games, including 12 in the corresponding La Liga fixture.
Expect a Halloween horror show for Madrid’s timing, especially if the visitors’ press forces rushed passes. Over 4.5 offsides is a tempting market given the tactical set-up.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
