Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Date, times, how to watch on TV, stream online

This weekend the two biggest sides in Spain face off, with Barça looking to tie up the title at Camp Nou.

Barcelona host historic rivals Real Madrid this weekend with the chance to all but confirm a first post-Messi league title on Sunday evening. The Catalans currently sit nine points ahead of second-placed Madrid and could extend that lead to 12 with a win at Camp Nou.

When does Barcelona vs Real Madrid kick off?

The game between Barcelona vs Real Madrid starts on Sunday, 19 March 2023.

How to watch Barcelona vs Real Madrid

The following television channels and online services will be broadcasting Barcelona vs Real Madrid:

Barcelona vs Real Madrid preview

For table-topping Barcelona, this has been a near-faultless La Liga campaign that looks set to finish with the club’s first league title since 2018/19. They sit nine points clear of eternal rivals Real Madrid and they could all but confirm their status as champions elect with a win.

The Catalan side lost the reverse fixture back in October but are unbeaten at home in the league this season, winning ten times and drawing twice in their 12 games at Camp Nou.

Across the season they have averaged an incredible 2.6 points per game and conceded just eight goals in 25 matches, putting them within reach of the best defensive record in La Liga history.

Xavi Hernandez’ side were eliminated from European competition at the hands of Manchester United but are focused on re-establishing themselves at the top of Spanish football.

While Barça have struggled in Europe and thrived in La Liga, Real Madrid’s campaign has been the exact opposite. They have toiled in the league and look set to lose their domestic crown to Barcelona, but Los Blancos have shown that they can still turn it on against Europe’s elite sides.

They dispatched Liverpool with a 6-2 aggregate win on Wednesday evening and dealt Barcelona their first La Liga defeat of the season back in October. They may have slipped from their incredible 2021/21 levels but this Madrid side retain the expertise and the technical ability required to perform in big games.

When Carlo Ancelotti’s men travel to Camp Nou this weekend they do so knowing that anything but a win will essentially hand Barça the league title. The Italian coach is expected to have a full squad to pick from for Sunday’s match, aside from the continued absense of David Alaba due to injury.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid: prediction

While Barcelona have managed to grind out results in the league this season, Madrid’s big game experience tends to give them the edge in one-off matches against top opponents. This weekend, however, both sides may decide that a draw suits them fairly well.

Prediction: Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid

Barcelona vs Real Madrid: who is the referee?

Barça have been in the news in recent weeks for their historic dealings with the vice president of the Spanish referees committee. In context of the ‘Barça-gate’ scandal the Federation’s choice of official for this weekend’s all-important clash was the subject of much interest.

The Federation have opted to give the job to Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea, who also officiated the recent Spanish Supercup Final between the two sides. De Burgos Bengoetxea is infamous among Madrid fans for his decision to send off Cristiano Ronaldo in a Clásico fixture back in 2017.