Real Madrid look to Santiago Bernabeu strength before decisive El Clasico

Real Madrid will rely on their home form to close the gap on Barcelona before next month’s El Clasico, with Jose Mourinho’s side facing Villarreal and Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu after the international break.

The Spanish club are fourth in La Liga with 15 points, six behind leaders Barcelona, who have won all seven of their league matches so far. Real Madrid’s immediate objective is to take maximum points from their two home fixtures before travelling to Camp Nou for the meeting with Barcelona on 25 October.

The Santiago Bernabeu proved a formidable venue for Real Madrid last season. They won 84% of their home league matches, taking victory in 16 of their 19 games.

Although the current campaign is still at an early stage, Mourinho’s team have already made a strong start at home. They have won three successive matches at the stadium, beating Real Sociedad 4-1, Malaga 4-0 and Rayo Vallecano 4-1.

Their home advantage has been built largely on their attacking output rather than a consistently dominant style of play. Real Madrid have scored 12 goals at the Santiago Bernabeu, compared with six away from home, according to AS.

There is also a significant difference in the number of goals conceded by Thibaut Courtois. The Belgium goalkeeper has allowed only two goals at home, while that figure rises to six in away matches.

One explanation lies in the quality of the chances Real Madrid have given opponents. The overall number of attempts is relatively close, with 42 shots faced at home, an average of 14 per match, and 47 away, equating to 11.7 per game.

However, the figures for shots on target show a greater contrast. Opponents have managed 11 efforts on target at the Santiago Bernabeu, or 3.7 per match, while they have registered 20 away from home, an average of five per game.

Looking at total attempts per match, Real Madrid have faced 21 at home and 17.2 away. The more striking difference is described by the effectiveness of those attempts: the average number of shots on target at the Santiago Bernabeu is listed as 10, compared with 5.7 in away matches.

Mourinho will hope those home strengths continue against Villarreal and Sevilla. Two victories would give Real Madrid a perfect home record before the trip to Barcelona, while Barcelona will face Getafe at home and visit La Cartuja to play Real Betis.

Real Madrid dropped three of the six points separating them from their principal rivals at that stadium.