First Clásico of the season:Barcelona vs. Real Madrid | El Clásico Preview

Football fans around the world are gearing up for one of the most anticipated events in the sport. This weekend, at the Estadi Olimpic, the El Clasico, the grandest football spectacle, will set the stage for a fierce battle between two Spanish giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The El Clasico, with its rich history, has witnessed 254 unforgettable encounters since its inception in 1929. Real Madrid holds a slight edge with 102 wins, while Barcelona is close behind with 100 victories. The intense rivalry has also seen 52 draws, setting the stage for a captivating showdown this Saturday.

Recalling the drama of the previous season, both teams tasted victory. Barcelona dominated Madrid with a resounding 3-1 win in the Spanish SuperCopa, but Los Blancos swiftly avenged their defeat in the Copa del Rey. After Barcelona took a 1-0 lead in the first leg of the semi-finals, Real Madrid bounced back to secure a 4-0 victory and eventually claimed the trophy.

In La Liga, the battle was equally intense. Madrid emerged victorious in their October clash, but Barcelona had the last word in their second league match. Additionally, a memorable exhibition match in the summer saw Barcelona triumph 3-0, with the debut of Fermin Lopez for the Blaugrana.

Real Madrid's Nacho will be able to play after overturning a controversial red card, though opinions differ on the matter. Meanwhile, Barcelona has been grappling with several injuries, but the availability of Pedri, Lewandowski, and Raphina for El Clasico is reassuring for the Blaugrana.

In recent league matches, Madrid drew with Sevilla, while Barcelona secured a win over Athletic Bilbao, thanks to a goal from the 17-year-old Marc Guiu, a budding talent in their ranks. Both teams are currently separated by just one point, with Madrid sitting atop the table, tied with Girona at 25 points. Moreover, both clubs are also set to participate in mid-week Champions League fixtures, with Barcelona facing Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Madrid squaring off against Braga. These mid-week encounters will be instrumental in determining their form and strategy for the upcoming El Clasico.

With the excitement building, football enthusiasts are reminiscing about the six El Clasico matches witnessed last season. As the first El Clasico of the season approaches, set for Saturday at 10:15 Eastern Time at the Estadi Olimpic, the anticipation and excitement are palpable. The world will once again witness a clash of titans as Barcelona and Real Madrid take centre stage in one of the most iconic rivalries in football history.