Report: 5 factors that could decide the clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid

All eyes are on the El Clásico clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid on Sunday, as both teams battle for the top of LaLiga and José Mourinho returns to lead the royal team.

The report highlights five factors that could influence the outcome of the match, from the Portuguese coach's record against Barcelona to the tactical battle between Real Madrid's attack and the Catalan team's defense.

Barcelona enters the match at the top of LaLiga, 6 points ahead of Real Madrid, having won their first nine matches. A victory would give them the opportunity to extend the lead to 9 points.

1- Mourinho and his record against Barcelona.

José Mourinho ended his previous spell with Real Madrid unbeaten in the last five Clásicos, achieving three wins and two draws. Continuing his unbeaten record would make him the third manager in the club's history to face Barcelona in six consecutive matches without defeat, after Miguel Muñoz and Vicente del Bosque.

Barcelona have shown their strength at home.

Barcelona have won all four of their home league matches this season, following 19 victories in all their home matches in the competition last season, bringing their total to 23 consecutive wins at home in the league. They have also scored 22 goals in five matches at Camp Nou across all competitions this season.

In contrast, Real Madrid have won twice and lost twice in their first four away matches in the league, with substitute Carlos Espí scoring the winning goals against Espanyol and Elche in the 90th minute, making him the team's top scorer away from home in the competition this season. Despite this, Real Madrid have won three of their last six visits to Barcelona in the league, which is the same number they achieved during their previous 16 visits.

Barcelona's attacking brilliance was on full display as they tested the defense.

Lamine Yamal has contributed to 20 goals in 10 consecutive matches, scoring 10 and assisting 10. Meanwhile, Raphinha leads the LaLiga scoring chart with 12 goals in the first nine rounds, which is the third highest tally at this stage in the current century.

Barcelona's defense faces a tough test after losing 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, despite scoring 50 goals in their first 12 matches across all competitions. The French team created chances worth 3.7 goals according to the expected goals metric, while Real Madrid has scored four goals in each of their last three matches, highlighting the threat of their attack ahead of the clásico.

Vinicius Junior's absence puts more responsibility on Kylian Mbappé.

Real Madrid will miss Vinicius Junior due to suspension after his red card against Villarreal, a significant absence considering the team's reliance on the left flank, which has seen 45.3% of his touches in the attacking third in LaLiga this season.

Kylian Mbappé has an impressive record against Barcelona, having scored six goals in six Clasico matches since joining Real Madrid, averaging a goal every 75 minutes. Jude Bellingham has also contributed to six goals in six matches against the Catalan side, scoring four goals and providing two assists. Yan Diomande also stands out among the attacking options, having scored and assisted in a league match while still under 20 years old, and he repeated the feat against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League.

High pressing and offside trap.

Barcelona relies on an advanced defensive line, starting their attacks on average 45.5 meters from their goal, while their opponents have been caught offside 29 times in LaLiga this season. This may give Mbappé the opportunity to move behind the defense, but he needs precise timing to avoid falling into the trap.

In contrast, Barcelona conceded three goals after losing the ball under high pressure in LaLiga, which is the second highest tally after Levante. Real Madrid leads the teams in terms of the number of attacks that ended with a shot after regaining the ball in advanced areas, with a total of 19 attacks. Therefore, Mourinho's decision to press Barcelona or to fall back could be a significant factor in determining the course of the clásico.