This weekend sees arguably the biggest club football match anywhere in the world. Barcelona welcome Real Madrid to the Camp Nou in the first El Clasico of the season and one which could have huge ramifications for the future of Julen Lopetegui.
Two of the major talking points ahead of this game involve the Real Madrid manager, who is fighting for his job and two players who will not be involved in the game. This will be the first El Clasico since 2007 not to feature Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Barcelona will hope they can record another win without their talismanic forward as they did in mid-week when they defeated Inter Milan 2-0 at home in the Champions League. That results means Barcelona have lost just once this season and have won three of their last four games in all competitions.
The Catalan giants are on a fantastic run of form and trends show have lost only four of their last sixty-nine games in all competitions. Not only that but they have been superb at home and have remained undefeated at the Camp Nou in each of their last thirty-five home matches in all competitions.
Barcelona have scored two or more goals in thirteen of their last fifteen home games in all competitions. However, they have also conceded in each of their last seven La Liga matches and in eight of their last ten at home.
Real Madrid managed to pick up a 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen at home in the Champions League on Tuesday night. However, it was a far from convincing performance and the visitors had their chances to score more than their single goal.
The 2-1 victory was Real Madrid’s first in six games in all competitions and the manager is under huge pressure heading into this match. Having defeated Espanyol 1-0 at home, Real Madrid have lost at Sevilla and Deportivo Alaves in La Liga, at CSKA Moscow in the Champions League and at home to Levante in La Liga. They were also held to a 0-0 draw at home in the Madrid derby.
Trends show Real Madrid have been in poor form away from home and have won just one of their last eight away games in all competitions. They have also failed to score a goal in each of their last three away matches.
Team news and as highlighted above, Barcelona will be without the injured Lionel Messi. The hosts are also without Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen in defence which means Clement Lenglet should start with Gerard Pique at the back.
Real Madrid will be without first choice right-back Dani Carvajal and that should mean a starting spot for Nacho on the right with Raphael Varane returning to the centre of defence. There are doubts over Marcelo but the Brazilian full-back should be fit to start the match.
Barcelona will always have their critics but they have made a solid start to the season and come into this game in much better shape than their bitter rivals. Real Madrid have been in poor form and even without Messi, Barcelona should win this match.