Real Madrid vs Barcelona live stream: Watch El Clasico online

The victory gave Barcelona a four-point lead on their rivals having won nine and drawn the other of their first 10 La Liga games of the season. Barcelona’s major summer arrival Neymar had scored one goal and created the other in the win at the Camp Nou. In contrast Gareth Bale, who Madrid had made the most expensive player of all time, was anonymous and hauled off after an hour following a start to his career in Spain beset by injuries.

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Date: Sunday, March 23
Start Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Madrid, Spain
Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
TV Info: beIN Sport USA, beIN Sport en Español
Radio Info: Sirius XM FC
Live Stream: beIN Sport Play

Five months later, as the teams prepare to meet again on Sunday, it’s fair to say things have changed quite a bit. Having not lost since the last Clasico, it is now Madrid who go into the showdown with a four-point advantage on Barcelona and in the knowledge that a victory would surely knock their rivals out of the title race.

Madrid had plenty of teething problems under new coach Carlo Ancelotti, not least how to incorporate their array of attacking talent into a workable, balanced team. Results such as a 7-3 victory over Sevilla and a 3-2 win over Rayo Vallecano immediately following their defeat top Barcelona illustrated the problem. Yes, they could score for fun, but they were far too open and would be punished against high level opposition.

Lacking a natural commanding presence without the ball in midfield due to Sami Khedira’s long-term injury, there is certainly a fear that they can be overrun. In the recent Madrid derby, Atletico created plenty of chances and were on top for a significant spell in a 2-2 draw. Barcelona will doubtless fancy their chances of passing their way around Madrid’s midfielders. The performance of Neymar could well be key, too, with his pace offering a valuable weapon to try and catch Madrid on the break.

Yet, as much as Barcelona can trouble Madrid, the same is very much true in reverse. Unable to control games quite as they once did, Barcelona’s neglected defense faces increased pressure. Manchester City had ample chances against them in the second leg of their tie while the pace and ability of Real Sociedad’s Antoine Griezmann and Carlos Vela tore Barcelona apart.

With Madrid’s “BBC” -- Bale, Benzema and CR7 -- going up against them, Madrid have to be favorites to get a precious victory.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL MADRID Casillas Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao Khedira, AlonsoDi Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo Benzema

BARCELONA Valdes Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba  Xavi, Busquets, IniestaPedro, Messi, Sanchez