Real Madrid take on Barcelona in the 244th official Clásico on Sunday night in the Santiago Bernabéu. In the current standings, Barcelona lead Madrid on games won by one victory. The Catalan club have won 96 times, with Madrid victorious on 95 occasions and 52 draws between the sides.
The first Clásico took place on March 26, 1916, in the Copa del Rey. In 104 years only one victory separates the sides with Barcelona overtaking Madrid in the last decade. The closest rivalry that matches El Clásico for competitiveness in numbers is Corinthians and Flamengo in Brazil; with 53 and 55 wins each in 138 matches. In England, the huge rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool is also close. The Red Devils have won 80 times, while Liverpool have 67 wins against their northern rivals.
Barcelona top La Liga by two points over their historic rivals going into Sunday’s huge occasion. If Madrid take all three points they will edge ahead at the top of the table by a single point. This season Quique Setién’s side have scored 62 league goals. Zinedine Zidane’s team have an unusually low total of 46 goals scored but are tighter at the back with just 17 conceded, due to the fine form of Thibaut Courtois between the sticks. Madrid have scored four more goals than Barça in Clásico’s, 403 goals. The Blaugrana have netted 399 times since the great rivalry started over 100 years ago. In December, the side’s played out a scoreless draw in Camp Nou. On Sunday night, a worldwide audience will tune in to witness who will come out on top of Clásico 244.
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