Arda Güler has created more league chances than Jude Bellingham, and Fermín López has scored more goals. Bellingham still gets the final midfield place in our El Clásico combined XI.
Barcelona’s perfect start to the season ended in Paris, but nine league wins and 39 goals have given them a six-point lead over Real Madrid before Sunday’s meeting at Spotify Camp Nou.
League performances across the opening nine rounds of 2026/27 carry the greatest weight, with positional fit separating close calls. Players must also be eligible for this Clásico, which excludes Vinícius Júnior while he serves his domestic suspension.
The formation is 4-3-3: Thibaut Courtois; Federico Valverde, Pau Cubarsí, Dean Huijsen, Xavi Espart; Rodri, Bellingham, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Raphinha. Espart’s place is conditional on fitness after reported ankle discomfort in Paris.
Goalkeeper: Courtois gets the narrow edge
Courtois narrowly edges Joan García. He’s made 29 league saves in 810 minutes to Joan’s 15 in 675, with a higher save percentage, but the shot-quality-adjusted goals-prevented figures are virtually level: +0.92 and +1.03 respectively. Joan’s greater number of sweeping actions and higher passing accuracy deserve recognition. We prefer Courtois behind a compact defense; a side committed to an exceptionally high line could reasonably choose Joan.
Defense: Valverde’s versatility and Espart’s form
José Mourinho used Valverde at right back against Sevilla and explained why he preferred his running and quality to the specialist alternatives. Here, he’d support Yamal and recover into the right channel. Jules Koundé’s ankle sprain leaves his availability uncertain. Valverde has played several roles this season; his recent use at right back makes the selection credible.
Cubarsí and Huijsen offer passing that can help find Rodri and Pedri through pressure. Cubarsí has 31 line-breaking passes and has won 75% of his aerial duels. Huijsen has 11 interceptions to Ibrahima Konaté’s three, alongside stronger overall duel success and pass accuracy. His red card and penalty conceded count against him, and Konaté remains the closest alternative.
Antonio Rüdiger supplied the late winner against Roma, but his 306 league minutes are fewer than either selected center back’s. Éder Militão has played just five. Both remain alternatives without yet displacing Cubarsí and Huijsen on current performances.
Espart’s case extends beyond his goal in Paris. He’s started seven league games and has one goal and two assists in 620 minutes. Marc Cucurella hasn’t scored or assisted in 565. Espart has also recorded 22 tackles and 10 interceptions. Cucurella offers a natural left foot and a higher duel success rate, but Espart’s current return earns the preference. He’s played left back against Betis and Getafe; Raphinha would preserve the width whenever he steps inside.
Midfield: why Bellingham makes the cut
Rodri supplies the holding role. His 53 line-breaking passes and 95.2% completion rate support choosing him to organize possession ahead of Aurélien Tchouaméni. He also has 16 tackles and 11 interceptions. Keeping him behind the ball allows the two interiors to take on different responsibilities.
Pedri gets the controlling interior position. Seventeen chances created and 54 recoveries describe more of his contribution than one goal and one assist. He connects the buildup to the attack, with Rodri providing cover behind him. Pedri has played 621 league minutes; Frenkie de Jong is available again but hasn’t played a league minute this season.
Bellingham gives the midfield ball carrying, strength in duels and runs into the box. His 22 successful dribbles and 65 duels won support that choice. He’d also help cover the right side when Valverde advances. Only one fullback would advance at a time, leaving three defenders behind Rodri.
The objections are substantial. Güler has created 31 league chances in 504 minutes to Bellingham’s 18 in 688, and his expected-assists total is almost twice as high. Fermín has four goals and three assists in fewer minutes than Bellingham’s three and three. Güler would have a powerful case as a dedicated No. 10; Fermín would benefit from giving midfield scoring greater weight. Jude’s combination of duties gives him the narrow edge.
Attack: Yamal, Mbappé and Raphinha
Yamal takes the right wing with eight league goals and six assists. His combination of scoring and creation lets us keep a clear attacking shape, with Mbappé central and Raphinha on the left.
Mbappé has nine league goals and two assists across 804 minutes. Gabriel Jesus has scored three times in 195 minutes, but that productive short run doesn’t displace Mbappé’s larger body of work. Seven of the Madrid forward’s goals are non-penalties.
Raphinha is the strongest left-wing choice on current production. He’s already returned to action and has 12 league goals and three assists in 575 minutes, against Vinícius’s one goal and three assists in 585. Even after removing Raphinha’s three penalty goals, he has nine. The left-wing spot is his on form as well as availability.
