The stage is set for club football’s most exciting game, as Real Madrid gear up to host rivals Barcelona in the first Clasico of the 2015-16 season.
The Blaugrana sits on top of the Liga BBVA standings with 27 points, three ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, but could hand over that lead should they lose, given Los Blancos' superior goal difference.
This will be Rafael Benitez first Clasico, with reports claiming that the Spanish boss will be sacked should Les Merengues suffer a home defeat to Luis Enrique's crew.
However, the 10-time Champions League winners will have the home advantage over the Catalan giants, though some stats show that amounts to little.
Head-to-head
The two sides have met a whopping 170 times in La Liga, and despite Barcelona's recent dominance, Los Blancos boast the better record, having won 71 times to the Blaugrana's 67.
Their last six encounters in all competitions are split even, with both sides winning three a piece. However, in Barcelona's last 12 trips to the Bernabeu, they've won 6, losing only 3.
Nonetheless, in the Spanish top-flight, Los Blancos have lost only 18 times in 82 home clashes with the Catalan giants.
RM vs Barca in La Liga at the Bernabeu: Games: 85 Wins: 52 Draws: 15 Losses: 18 Goals For: 180 Goals Against: 99 Goal Difference: +81
— Real Madrid Stats (@RMadrid_Stats) November 21, 2015
Recent form
Luis Enrique's crew have suffered two defeats in their first 11 games in the 2015-16 season, one of which being a 4-1 thrashing away to Celta Vigo.
However, the flourishing partnership between Luis Suarez and the league's top scorer Neymar has seen the Catalan giants go on a four-game winning streak since their last defeat, a 2-1 loss to Sevilla.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, have lost only one game in all competitions this term, the 3-2 loss away to Sevilla.
However, three draws has seen them fall behind their bitter rivals in the title chase.
Los Blancos under Rafael Benitez (all comps)
Real Madrid with Benitez: Games: 15 Wins: 10 Draws: 4 Losses: 1 Clean Sheets: 10 Goals For: 33 Goals Against: 7 Goal Difference: +26
— Real Madrid Stats (@RMadrid_Stats) November 9, 2015
Team news
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona had a few injury worries heading into Saturday's game.
Rafael Benitez had been without French striker Karim Benzema for a month due to his hamstring injury, and saw captain Sergio Ramos fall to a shoulder injury prior to the international break.
However, the Spanish tactician revealed that both had recovered on time for El Clasico, though uncertainty remains over whether Benzema will slot right back into the starting eleven.
Over to Barcelona's camp, and the biggest talk surrounded whether Lionel Messi will return to action in the weekend game. The Argentine suffered a knee injury towards the end of September, casting a doubt over his Clasico hopes.
However, the four-time Ballon d'Or winner returned a week ahead of schedule. Enrique, however, admitted that the 28-year-old is not yet at 100%.
Messi, who is back after a knee ligament injury, will start on the bench in the game against Real Madrid today. [rac1]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) November 21, 2015
Players to watch
All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in a game which is occasionally seen as a Ballon d'Or decider. The Portuguese ace has registered 15 goals since arriving in Spain, whilst Leo boasts the most goals in El Clasico history, at 21.
However, one player to watch is Brazilian superstar Neymar. The Selecao ace leads the goalscoring charts with 11 strikes in as many games, and has been the best player in La Liga so far.
25 Liga goals for Barcelona this season: Neymar 11 - Suarez 9 - Messi 3 - Vermaelen 1 - Bartra 1 #fcblive [via fcb]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) November 16, 2015
DID YOU KNOW?
- Lionel Messi boasts the most goal (21) and assists (13) in El Clasico history.
- Cristiano has scored as many Clasico goals (15) as Messi since arriving in Spain in 2009.
Confirmed lineups
Real Madrid's lineup for El Clasico: Navas, Varane, Ramos, Ronaldo, Kroos, Benzema, James, Bale, Marcelo, Modric, Danilo
Barca's lineup for El Clasico: Bravo; Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, S. Roberto, Rakitic; Suárez, Neymar
Real Madrid's subs: Casilla, Pepe, Casemiro, Carvajal, Kovacic, Jesé, Isco.
Barca's subs: Ter Stegen, Vermaelen, Mathieu, Adriano, Munir, Messi, Sandro
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