Real Madrid will be aiming to equal Barcelona's all-time unbeaten record in La Liga when they welcome Hansi Flick's side to Bernabeu on Saturday evening for the latest instalment of El Clasico.
Los Blancos have now gone 42 games without a defeat in La Liga, recording 31 wins in the process, with their last loss in Spain's top flight coming against Atletico Madrid in September 2023.
Should Carlo Ancelotti's side avoid defeat on Saturday, they would equal Barcelona's all-time unbeaten record in the competition, which occurred between April 2017 and May 2018, winning 34 and drawing nine of their 43 matches in that run.
Real Madrid will enter this match off the back of three straight wins, beating Villarreal, Celta Vigo and Borussia Dortmund since a shock 1-0 defeat to Lille in the Champions League.
Los Blancos are playing catch-up in Spain's top flight, though, with the reigning champions currently sitting second in the La Liga table, three points behind the leaders Barcelona.
Real Madrid are unbeaten in La Liga since September 2023
Ancelotti has said that his side are "motivated" heading into El Clasico, but the Italian insisted that neither team should be regarded as a clear favourite this weekend.
"The team is well, motivated. The Clasicos are competitive and hard-fought matches, but also entertaining. We want to do well in front of our fans," the Real Madrid boss told reporters at his pre-match press conference.
"Barca have a very clear idea of the game, they are playing very well. They are a very brave team. We have to prepare well for the game and try to play as well as possible. They're doing very well. In a game like the Clasico, it's very difficult to pick a favourite. No one is keeping me awake at the moment.
"We prepare the game to do things well with and without the ball. You have to be able to handle the attack if they lower the line. You have to play a complete game to win and we will try to do that."
Ancelotti hints at formation change against Barcelona
Ancelotti also hinted that he will change his formation on Saturday, with Rodrygo's absence due to injury potentially seeing Jude Bellingham move into a number 10 role behind a front two of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
"I have something in mind, I don't think it's right to explain it to you today (smiles). You have to see it tomorrow and then say if I've made a mistake or not," the Italian added before discussing Bellingham's form.
"He's doing very well, he's progressing, he's had problems with his ankle and shoulder, but his condition is good. He is contributing with work, which is very important for us.
"Last year it was crucial that he scored goals because we had lost an important striker like [Karim] Benzema. We don't have that problem this year because we have a player who can score 45 goals."
Bellingham scored 23 goals and registered 13 assists in 42 appearances for Real Madrid last season as a number 10, but in a deeper midfield role, he is yet to get off the mark in terms of goals in 2024-25.
