Neymar and Sergio Ramos at risk of missing Barcelona vs Real Madrid clash

Neymar and Sergio Ramos will miss the first El Clasico of the season on 3 December should they pick up a yellow card in their respective weekend games with Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Brazilian international will travel with the Catalans to face Real Sociedad on Sunday while the Spaniard is expected to lead Los Blancos back-line in their home game with Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

Neymar has scored only six goals in 15 appearances for Barcelona this term, but surprisingly picking up seven yellow cards in the same time, including four in 10 La Liga games.

The Brazilian stayed out of trouble during the last weekend 0-0 draw with Malaga but had been shown his fourth booking of La Liga during in the previous 3-2 victory over Sevilla on 6 November, following a bad tackle on Franco Vazquez.

This means that the former Santos star will be suspended for the following Real Madrid visit to Barcelona should he be booked against either against Real Sociedad, where the Catalans are yet to win a game since 2007.

Ramos, meanwhile, is also one yellow card away from suspension despite the fact Real Madrid captain has only played six games this season, having missed the last six due to a knee injury.

The Spanish international centre-back should be especially cautious to avoid another booking against Sporting, considering that he has received 180 yellow cards and 15 reds during his 533 appearances in the top flight for both Sevilla and Real Madrid.

Furthermore, Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that despite that record Ramos will lead the defence against Sporting as Raphael Varane is injured and Pepe is still not 100% to start.

"Ramos will have to play against Sporting despite the fact that he is close to getting a ban," the Real Madrid boss confirmed in the press conference ahead of the visit of Sporting. "I know that we have an important game tomorrow and we must focus on that before the game against Barcelona. I have every faith that it will go well."

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have also some doubts ahead of the long-expected El Clasico due to injuries.

Andres Iniesta could be back available after returning to training on Friday (25 November) following more than a month out of action. However, Samuel Umtiti remains on the sidelines and it's uncertain whether he will be back next week.

Meanwhile, Gareth Bale has been ruled out for the game as he will undergo a surgery in his ankle next week while the participation of all Raphael Varane, Fabio Coentrao, Alvaro Morata and Toni Kroos is up in the air. Yet, the quartet have been left out of the coming game with Sporting Gijon due to different injuries.