The first El Clasico of the season arrives with Real Madrid sitting two points clear of their arch-rivals Barcelona at the top of La Liga, and they'll look to strengthen their grip on the title race with a statement victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. Xabi Alonso's men are in outstanding form, having won four straight matches across all competitions, conceding just once in that span, Softfootball reports.
Their most recent outing, a 1-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Juventus showcased their growing defensive solidity and composure under pressure. That resilience followed their only defeat of the campaign, a humbling 5-2 loss to Atletico Madrid, which now feels firmly behind them.
Alonso, who famously played in 20 Clasicos during his career, will be keen to break a managerial curse, seven of Real's last eight managers have lost their first league game against Barcelona. But home advantage could prove decisive, as Los Blancos have won eight consecutive home league matches, their longest such streak since 2015.