Is Real Madrid vs Barcelona on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch El Clasico

Everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg

The first of three Clasicos to be played in the next month takes place tonight as Real Madrid host Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona hold a seven-point lead over Real Madrid in LaLiga ahead of a crucial clash on 19 March but before then Spain’s fiercest rivals will meet twice in the domestic cup.

It’s the first time since 20198 where Real Madrid and Barcelona have played each other in the Copa del Rey - a tournament Real Madrid have not won since 2014 despite their record success on the European stage.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have won five Copa del Reys during that time and are dreaming of the double this season under Xavi as they also seek to reclaim their LaLiga crown.

Real Madrid have held the upper hand in recent Clasicos, however, with five wins in six - including a 3-1 win at the Bernabeu earlier this campaign. Here’s everything you need to know.

When is Real Madrid vs Barcelona?

The match will kick off at 8pm GMT on Thursday 2 March. The semi-final first leg will be played at the Bernabeu before the return fixture at the Camp Nou on 5 April.

Is Real Madrid vs Barcelona on TV and is there a live stream?

El Clasico will be shown live on BT Sport 1 in the UK, with coverage starting at 7:45pm. BT Sport customers can also stream El Clasico live on the BT Sport website and mobile app.

What is the team news?

Real Madrid will hope Aurelien Tchouameni and Rodrygo are fit but David Alaba is still expected to be out after picking up a knock against Liverpool.

Robert Lewandowski suffered a hamstring injury in Barcelona’s shock defeat at Almeria on Sunday. Barcelona are also without Ousmane Dembele and Pedri due to injury.

Predicted line-ups

Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Kroos, Tchouameni, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; De Jong, Busquets, Roberto; Raphinha, Torres, Gavi

Prediction

Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona