Real Madrid v Barcelona: Where to Watch El Clasico Live, Preview and Team News
Real Madrid welcome Barcelona to the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga on Saturday - in the sixth edition of the Clasico this season - just four days after the Meringues knocked the Blaugrana out of the Copa del Rey by hammering them 3-1 at Camp Nou.
Where to Watch
Kick-off is set for 3pm GMT. Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD will provide delayed coverage of the game in the UK at 8pm.
Overview
Round one of the much-awaited El Clasico week went, undisputedly, to Real. And there will be plenty of pride at stake when Barcelona attempt to turn the tables on their arch-rivals, as Tuesday's 3-1 win was Los Blancos' biggest victory at Camp Nou in over 50 years.
However, the weekend's clash will not carry as much hype and expectations as the midweek game, with Barcelona already having one hand on the league title. Jose Mourinho's side are 16 points off the pace in La Liga and, with just 13 games to go, they now hold only a mathematical chance of catching their big rivals. Real also have a tricky Champions League away trip to Manchester United on Tuesday, meaning the Portuguese tactician will likely rest several first team players for this Clasico.
Real have won 10 of their last 11 home league matches and are unbeaten in the last 24, while Barcelona have won just three of their last seven games in all competitions. Also, the Catalans have posted just one win in their last seven El Clasicos, losing thrice.
Lionel Messi, who has scored 17 goals in 24 games against Real, could usurp Meringues' legend Alfredo di Stefano's position as the leading goalscorer in El Clasico history, if he nets a brace at the Bernabeu. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was clearly the better of the two superstars on Tuesday, has been in sublime scoring form in this fixture of late, with nine goals in his last eight Clasicos.
Form Guide
Real Madrid
- Last Five Games (all competitions, most recent first): W W W D W
- Last Match: Barcelona 1 - 3 Real Madrid
Barcelona
- Last Five Games (all competitions, most recent first): L W L W W
- Last Match: Barcelona 1 - 3 Real Madrid
Team News
Real Madrid: Los Blancos have no injury concerns, with the exception of captain Iker Casillas (fractured hand). But Angel di Maria will serve a one-match suspension, after receiving two yellow cards in around 10 seconds - both for time wasting - against Deportivo La Coruna last week.
Mourinho is expected to make a host of changes for this edition of the Clasico, to keep most of his key players fresh for the midweek trip to Old Trafford. Hence, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Mesut Ozil and Gonzalo Higuain, who all started in the 3-1 win, are expected to make way for Pepe, Michael Essien, Luka Modric, Kaka and Karim Benzema.
Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1): Lopez; Ramos, Varane, Pepe, Coentrao; Essien, Modric; Callejon, Kaka, Ronaldo; Benzema
Barcelona: Xavi will miss the trip and could be out of action for a fortnight with a hamstring injury, while Alex Song (knee) has a late fitness test. Meanwhile, Adriano has returned from the sidelines and is back in contention. Two or three changes may be on the cards for a Catalan starting line-up that has failed to perform in the last few matches. Carlos Puyol and Cesc Fabregas could both be rested, while David Villa is in line for a start.
Probable Line-up (4-3-3): Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Thiago, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Villa
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