Welcome to the Weekly Clásico, a weekly column that predicts and previews the key matches for the upcoming La Liga and Liga MX matchweeks.
Last weekend in La Liga, forward Kylian Mbappé’s late-game heroics handed Real Madrid three points, while winger Antony snatched a draw for Real Betis. In Liga MX, Monterrey and Pumas shared spoils while Cruz Azul defeated Club América 2-1.
This weekend’s fixtures are highlighted by one match in particular, but expect high-quality fútbol all around with what is shaping up to be the most exciting matchweek of the season thus far.
La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
The greatest rivalry in all of fútbol returns this weekend.
Only one point separates the two Spanish giants in the table, and both sides have only one loss through nine matches played.
Real Madrid has arguably the best attack in the world, led by superstar Kylian Mbappé, who is making an early case for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Mbappé has 15 goals and two assists across all competitions so far this season. He is the top goalscorer in La Liga and tied with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane in that same statistic in the Champions League.
The only flaw with Real Madrid currently is that they are riddled with defensive injuries. Los Blancos have only two healthy first-team center-backs in Éder Militão and Raúl Asencio available for this weekend. However, Real Madrid will get their two primary right-backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal, back from injuries that have kept them out for the last few weeks.
Barcelona has also struggled with its own injuries lately, but mostly with its attack. Striker Robert Lewandowski and attacking midfielder Dani Olmo are confirmed to be ruled out for the match, but earlier this week, star left-winger Raphinha returned to training with the hopes of being fit to make an appearance at the weekend.
Despite putting six goals past Greek side Olympiacos on Tuesday, Barcelona needed a 90th-minute winner to secure all three points against last-place Girona last weekend. Real Madrid, on the other hand, is coming off back-to-back 1-nil wins. Their most recent came in the form of a lone goal scored by star midfielder Jude Bellingham, who had just returned from a shoulder injury that kept the Englishman out for three months.
El Clásico always has its own fireworks. Expect this match to be high-scoring and without much emphasis on maintaining a strict defensive structure from either side. It’s a safer bet to take a healthy, strong Real Madrid attack — with Kylian Mbappé — and a lack of defensive depth than a recovering Barcelona attack with a solid defensive core.
Prediction: Real Madrid 4, Barcelona 2
La Liga: Atlético Madrid vs. Real Betis
Fourth-place Atlético Madrid will face fifth-place Real Betis in a match destined for low offensive production.
Atlético Madrid were embarrassed on Tuesday, losing 4-0 on the road to Arsenal in their latest Champions League fixture. Under head coach Diego Simeone, Atlético famously plays a low block, a defensive structure focused solely on restricting space for opposing players to operate. The side will often give up possession in exchange for defensive resilience and implement quick, vertical counterattacks whenever possible.
Real Betis, on the other hand, is a possession-based team that attacks by building up from its backline, relying on solid ball movement to control the game and break down opponents. If possession is lost, Betis will press opponents in the midfield to force turnovers before distributing the ball out to their wide players. Betis’ star winger, Antony, is especially skilled in creating space, keeping possession, and attacking the opposing team’s box. He scored a brace in the team’s last league match against Villarreal to secure a point for Los Verdiblancos.
Real Betis will likely struggle to break down Atlético’s low block system, but have a strong enough midfield to prevent Atlético from getting many counter-attacking opportunities.
Prediction: Atlético Madrid 1, Real Betis 1
Liga MX: Cruz Azul vs. Monterrey
Third-place Monterrey will face fifth-place Cruz Azul in a crucial match down the stretch of the Apertura season, as the two sides are only separated by one point in the table.
Monterrey is coming off a 4-2 win against FC Juárez, while Cruz Azul drew 1-1 with bottom-of-the-table Necaxa.
Monterrey earned eight points in its last four matches. The most recent result, against a midtable side, is the first match since August where the team has scored more than two goals. Monterrey will turn to forward Germàn Berterame for more consistent offensive production after registering a goal and an assist in the win against Juárez.
Cruz Azul only has one win in its last five matches. The Mexican side has also struggled with offensive production as of late, scoring only six goals throughout the stretch. Conveniently, the last time Cruz Azul scored more than two goals in a match was when they faced Juárez back in September.
You need to score to win matches, something that’s especially true against teams toward the top of the table. With no offensive spark in sight at the moment for Cruz Azul, expect Monterrey to use their most recent result against Juárez as a springboard for more consistent goalscoring output.
Prediction: Cruz Azul 1, Monterrey 3
Liga MX: Tigres vs. Club Tijuana
Tigres and Club Tijuana’s recent forms set up for an unpredictable matchup.
In the midweek, Club Tijuana recorded a 0-0 draw with first-place Toluca. However, they also lost 4-3 to last-place Puebla, just their second win of the Apertura season.
Despite Tijuana’s inconsistencies, their bright spot comes in the form of midfielder Gilberto Mora. Mora is 17 years old and poised to be the next great Mexican talent. He’s already receiving interest from the biggest European clubs in the world, mainly because of his breakout performances at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the U-20 World Cup. Mora finished the U-20 World Cup with three goals and two assists and has started to draw comparisons to Barcelona’s young star midfielder, Pedri.
Tigres are in amazing form. They have won four of their last five matches, scoring 12 goals in the process. They are led by attacking midfielder Juan Brunetta, who has seven goals and one assist in 11 starts this Apertura season.
Tigres is the more consistent side, but expect Tijuana to make things interesting by registering at least a goal or two, as their most recent performance proves they have the quality to keep up with the top squads in Liga MX.
Prediction: Tigres 3, Club Tijuana 2