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Come Fan with UsTuesday, August 4, 2026

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, 2016 El Clásico: Time, TV schedule, and 3 things to know

Barcelona will look to slash their deficit to Real Madrid with an El Clásico win on Saturday.

World football's biggest rivalry is rekindled for the first time this season on Saturday, with Barcelona playing host to Real Madrid in the first edition of El Clásico since April. The form book gives the visitors the edge, with Zinedine Zidane's side six points clear of their Catalan hosts at the top of La Liga at this early stage of the season. However, such matters often go out of the window in these big games, and Barça are sure to be up for the fight.

Barcelona have only won one of their last four matches in all competitions, having been held to draws by Málaga and Real Sociedad in the league, and most recently Hércules in the Copa del Rey. Madrid, by contrast, have won five on the bounce, and haven't lost a single competitive match since they were beaten by Wolfsburg in the Champions League in April -- four days after they beat Barça in the last edition of this fixture.

How to watch, stream, and listen

TV: beIN Sports (US and Canada - English); beIN Sports en Español (US and Canada - Spanish)

Online streaming: beIN Sports Connect (US and Canada)

Make friends: Barcelona fans should head over to Barça Blaugranes, while Managing Madrid is our one-stop shop for all things Real.

For online listings in other countries, you can check out LiveSoccerTV.

Three big things to know

1. Barça will be without backup defender Jérémy Mathieu, though the Catalans will hope to have Jordi Alba available after injury problems. Real Madrid are a little worse off: they have Gareth Bale, Álvaro Morata, and Toni Kroos all sidelined, and are continuing to wait on the fitness of the doubtful Fábio Coentrão.

2. Both of last season’s editions of El Clásico were won by the away team. That record could be set to continue, with Barça having surprisingly struggled in front of their own supporters so far this season. They’ve won only half of their six league games at Camp Nou.

3. Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo provisionally leads the La Liga scoring charts, but there are a couple of Barça players hot on his heels. Lionel Messi is just a goal in arrears, while Luis Suárez is one further back still.

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