Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Spain – LaLiga
Date: Wednesday, 18 December 2019
Kick-off at 19:00 UK/ 20:00 CET
Venue: Camp Nou (Barcelona).

Barcelona host Real Madrid in one of the tensest El Clasico derbies in recent years.

The fixture was originally supposed to take place 52 days ago but was postponed and hastily rescheduled due to public protests and clashes over Catalan independence.

That unrest has overshadowed the build-up to the game, however, on the field, the two sides are level at the top of La Liga, both on 35 points with a game in hand over their nearest challengers Sevilla.

Both sides slipped up in their most recent outings, with Barcelona held to a 2-2 draw by Real Sociedad and Madrid unable to capitalise the following day as they drew 1-1 against Valencia.

Barcelona Team News, Updates and Facts

Barcelona Team News

Ernesto Valverde has winger Ousmane Dembele and midfielder Arthur out with injuries, but he otherwise has a full team to select from.

Barcelona Key Man

Lionel Messi may not have scored at the weekend, but he did do a lot to help them get a point, setting up Luis Suarez to gather a lead they ultimately lost.  He’s been on fire recently and has 12 goals and six assists in La Liga, giving tons of reason to back him to do well here.  With four goals in four games against Real, Luis Suarez is also well worth a watch. The last time they met in this La Liga fixture, he had a hat trick, prompting you to believe he will have a big say here.

Barcelona Team Form

Barcelona have a draw and four wins in their last five matches:

2-2 draw at Real Sociedad
1-2 win at Inter Milan (UCL)
5-2 home win vs Mallorca
0-1 win at Atletico Madrid
3-1 home win vs Borussia Dortmund (UCL)

Barcelona Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-3-3

Real Madrid Team News, Updates and Facts

Real Madrid Team News

Zinedine Zidane continues to miss out on the likes of left back Marcelo, winger Marco Asensio, Lucas Vasquez, and Eden Hazard, and midfielder James Rodriguez due to injuries.

Real Madrid Key Man

Where would Los Blancos be this term without their clutch Frenchman, Karim Benzema?  The veteran has plundered 11 goals (and five assists) in La Liga alone, including a massive equalizer that kept them close to Barca in the standings at the weekend.  He’s not Ronaldo, but he’s taken up the mantle of the man to watch.  Sergio Ramos is the other that has to be respected.  He’s been in a ton of these games and has come up trumps before.  He can affect both ends of the pitch, making him a bigger influence than most on the outcome of a match.

Real Madrid Team Form

Real Madrid have two draws and three wins in their last five matches:

1-1 draw at Valencia
1-3 win at Club Brugge (UCL)
2-0 home win vs Espanyol
1-2 win at Alaves
2-2 home draw vs PSG (UCL)

Real Madrid Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-3-3