Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Competition: Spanish Primera Division
Date: 21 November 2015 - Time: 17:15 GMT
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
Real Madrid team went into the international break on the back of a shock 3-2 defeat at the hands of Sevilla and they now trail Barça by three points. But Los Galacticos will go top of the table on goal difference should they beat Barcelona. They have been strong at home this season, picking up 13 points from a possible 15, and they have not lost at home since September 2014. Real Madrid also have the second-best defensive record in the league and have scored the most goals, too.
Benzema has recovered from a hamstring injury, but is lacking in match fitness. Hence, Gareth Bale is likely to start in the hole while Isco could be preferred to James Rodriguez. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas is expected to be back after missing the last couple of fixtures with a groin problem. As for the backline Raphael Varane is expected to partner Sergio Ramos at the heart of the defence.
Barcelona are in brilliant form having recorded boasting a seven-game unbeaten run and four straight La Liga wins, which have led them to the top of he table all without Messi. In fact, Neymar and Luis Suarez have netted each of Barça's last 17 league goals. Anyway, they have lost two of their last three away games in la Liga .
Lionel Messi has been out since late September but is set to make his comeback at the Bernabeu but Ivan Rakitic, who has injured his calf, is a doubt so Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are expected to support the attack from midfield. Javier Mascherano returns from suspension and may be deployed in midfield. Douglas and Rafinha are still out.
The Blaugrana will be desperate to avoid a repeat of last year's match scoreline at the Bernabeu, when the Catalan were outclassed 3-1 by Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid. The last time these two clubs met was in March of this year in a battle won by Luis Enrique's side, 2-1. Each of the last 9 Clasicos in La Liga BBVA have seen both sides score.
Probable lineups:
Real Madrid: Navas – Danilo, Pepe, Varane (Ramos), Marcelo – T. Kroos, Modric – Bale, J. Rodriguez, C. Ronaldo – Benzema.
Barcelona: Bravo – Dani Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Jordi Alba – Busquets, S. Roberto, Iniesta – Munir, Suarez, Neymar.
Real Madrid last 5 matches:
21/10/15 PSG 0 – 0 Real Madrid
24/10/15 Celta de Vigo 1 – 3 Real Madrid
31/10/15 Real Madrid 3 – 1 Las Palmas
03/11/15 Real Madrid 1 – 0 PSG
08/11/15 Sevilla 3 – 2 Real Madrid
Barcelona last 5 matches:
25/10/15 Barcelona 3 – 1 Eibar
28/10/15 Villanovense 0 – 0 Barcelona
31/10/15 Getafe 0 – 2 Barcelona
04/11/15 Barcelona 3 – 0 BATE
08/11/15 Barcelona 3 – 0 Villarreal
