Barcelona dominated at the Bernabeu when these sides last met, as Hansi Flick decimated his opponents 4-0. Robert Lewandowski bagged a first-half brace, before Raphinha and Lamine Yamal capped off the result.

However, since then Barcelona have experienced a slump in form – they now sit 3rd in the league, 5 points off of Real Madrid at the summit.

Based on that, it’s difficult to envision a repeat of that game, the expectation here is for a much more even contest. Despite the recent head-to-head result, Real Madrid come into this game as slight favourites. Backing both teams to score seems a sensible play, given how both sides boast star-studded attacking lineups.

Following the winter break, both sides have seen players return from injury, meaning respective managers will go as strong as possible.

Lamine Yamal is one player who benefitted from the break, as he was nursing an ankle issue throughout December. However, the prodigy seems set to start on the right wing here.

Yamal started the previous game against Athletic Club in the Super Cup semi-final and found himself on the scoresheet. He registered three shots in total, with 2 on target, in a 63 minute appearance.

Out of the regular Barcelona starters, only Raphinha (3.72) is averaging more shots per 90 rate than Yamal (3.68) – a testament to the attacking responsibility given to the 17-year-old.

When he last faced Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in October, Yamal accumulated 4 shots in total, with 3 of those hitting the target.

In that previous head-to-head game, there were 32 fouls in total – 15 committed by Real Madrid and 17 by Barcelona.

Marc Casado was a notable contributor to those stats, as the midfielder committed 4 infringements while also drawing 3 fouls. He was involved in the most duels for Barcelona (11), despite being substituted after just 65 minutes.

Casado is tasked with the role of enforcer under Hansi Flick, putting him in ample duels in the heart of midfield, and in promising positions to draw free-kicks. Only Yamal has been fouled more often than Casado in all competitions this campaign.

Casado is averaging 1.89 fouls drawn per 90 this season, notably landing this bet against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid just before the winter break.

Following Barcelona’s financial situation, Dani Olmo and Pau Victor both missed out against Athletic Club in the Super Cup semi-final, meaning Gavi got the nod to start as the attacking midfielder.

Despite being just his fourth league start of the season, he took advantage of the opportunity, registering a goal and assist, meaning he is likely to retain his spot in the XI despite the aforementioned pair receiving a temporary registration.

When Gavi appeared off the bench against Real Madrid in October, he picked up a yellow card with one foul in just a 3-minute appearance.

Despite his limited minutes, Gavi is averaging 3.18 fouls per 90 this season in all competitions, easily the highest in the Catalan squad. Expecting another feisty derby fixture, Gavi is a player to keep an eye on.

Yamal contributed massively when Barcelona recently beat Real Madrid 4-0, as he scored the third goal of the game.

Looking further into his stats, Yamal managed 4 shots in total, with 3 on target. In addition to his goal, he also missed a big chance, so was presented with plenty of chances to score. But he also operated effectively as a playmaker, creating 1 big chance from his 3 key passes (passes leading directly to a shot).

With 18 goals and assists in all competitions this season, Yamal has been crucial for Hansi Flick, who will likely look to get the most out of him here by playing the full 90.

Yamal also helped his side into the final by scoring against Athletic Club last time out, so should come into this clash full of confidence.

With Dani Carvajal sidelined with an ACL injury, Lucas Vazquez is expected to start at right back, as he did against Mallorca in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup.

In that game, he committed 3 fouls. Once again he is a target for infringements on Sunday, given his track record against Barcelona.

Vazquez has started 6 games against the Catalans across his career, and has landed this bet in 5 of those. In the only miss, Vazquez was substituted after 43 minutes with an injury. In total, he is averaging 2.82 fouls per 90 in this head-to-head matchup.

He made 3 fouls in that recent loss against Barcelona, as he struggled to contain the likes of Raphinha and Alejandro Balde on the flank.

Robert Lewandowski was instrumental to the success of Barcelona when these sides last locked horns. He had 4 shots in total, converting 2 of those into goals as he netted the first 2 for the Catalans. He also missed 2 big chances, accumulating a total of 1.39 xG on his own (only slightly less than Real Madrid’s value of 1.48 xG as a team).

The Polish international also drew 4 fouls, often dropping into midfield to create for his wide players. Because of that, the Madrid players struggled to contain him – Militao made 4 fouls, while Antonio Rudiger also chipped in with 1 foul.

Lewandowski will be up against Aurelien Tchouameni and Rudiger at the back, which is an ideal matchup to target him to draw infringements once again.

Kylian Mbappe was left frustrated when he last faced Barcelona, as he was outwitted by the Catalan high line. The Frenchman was flagged an almost unbelievable 8 times for being in an offside position.

However, Mbappe still managed 3 shots on target. Including 2 big chances which were both missed.

If he can maintain his discipline in this final by holding his runs, he certainly has the potential to cause problems for Barcelona with his electric speed in behind.

Mbappe is averaging 4.77 shots per 90 this season, with 2.36 on target, which is the highest of any Los Blancos player. He had 7 efforts against Mallorca in the semi-final, with 3 saved by the opposing goalkeeper.