El Clásico preview: possible Barcelona and Real Madrid starting XIs

Barcelona and Real Madrid go head-to-head for the third time in the US on Saturday. The great Spanish rivals previously met in Miami (2017), Las Vegas (2022) and now they are preparing to battle it out in Dallas before the start of the new LaLiga season.

Both clubs have made noteworthy summer signings. The standout ones, however, are midfielders Jude Bellingham and Ilkay Gündogan. Bellingham has made the move to the Bernabéu from Borussia Dortmund, while Champions League winner Gündogan joins from Manchester City to add experience and versatility to the Blaugrana engine room.

Arsenal beat Barcelona

Barcelona suffered a 5-3 defeat to Arsenal in their most recent friendly in the States after their opener against Juventus was postponed due to a virus in the Catalan camp.

Barcelona XI

With Carlo Ancelotti opting for a front two in recent outings, Ronald Araújo could start centrally instead of at right-back, from where he has been in charge of defending Barça’s right side as Xavi Hernández tried to stop Vinícius and his marauding runs in recent Clásicos.

In the last Clásico at Camp Nou, Madrid’s new No. 7 shirt holder won the battle against the Uruguayan as the side from the capital ran out 4-0 winners.

Possible Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Koundé, Araújo, Christensen, Balde; Romeu, De Jong, Gündogan; Pedri, Lewandowski, Raphinha.

Real Madrid beat Milan and United

Madrid have recorded consecutive victories this summer, beating Milan 3-2 and then Manchester United 2-0, with two fine goals from new boys from Bellingham and Joselu.

Real Madrid XI

Bellingham is set to start at the top of Ancelotti’s midfield diamond on Saturday, with Brazilian pair Vinícius and Rodrygo in attack. Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde could be three to play behind Bellingham as Madrid look to win a spicy midfield battle.

At left-back, Fran García should get the nod over Ferland Mendy. Turkish talent Arda Güler remains a doubt for Los Blancos, but Thibaut Courtois is expected to make his first pre-season start.

Possible Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, García; Kroos, Camavinga, Valverde, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius.

Clásicos in the US

In the first two Clásicos played in the US, Barça beat Madrid in Miami (3-2) and in Las Vegas (1-0). A win today will make it three from three on US soil against their great rivals.