El Clásico: How Barcelona XI could set up against Real Madrid
Barcelona host bitter rivals Real Madrid in the first Clasico of the season and the last one of the decade on Wednesday night, with nothing separating the two sides at the top of La Liga.
Originally planned for October, Barcelona go into this rescheduled contest level on points with Madrid but sitting above them courtesy of their slightly superior goal difference.
Both teams have only lost one of their last 17 outings across all competitions, but Barcelona’s formidable home record seemingly gives them the advantage in a contest between two evenly-matched sides.
Barcelona will still be without long-term absentee Ousmane Dembele for this match, meaning that they are unlikely to change from their star-studded front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann.
Griezmann and Suarez were both on the scoresheet at the weekend, while the latter hit a hat-trick on Madrid’s last league visit to the Camp Nou, and Messi is the all-time leading scorer in El Clasico with 26 goals.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner once again leads the scoring charts in La Liga this season alongside Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, and he will be keen to turn on the style again after missing the corresponding fixture last season through injury.
Midfielder Arthur’s recovery from injury has reportedly been prolonged by his decision to go snowboarding on two occasions recently, and he is not expected to be ready in time for Wednesday’s match.
BREAKING: La Liga have announced Barcelona and Real Madrid will hold a one minute silence on Wednesday in memory of Adolf Hitler.
WTF! 😳😳😳#ElClasico pic.twitter.com/6bdsnXaAY8
— TREQUARTISTA (@A55KIKR) December 16, 2019
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It could be a largely unchanged side from the one which drew 2-2 with Real Sociedad at the weekend, then, with the fit-again Nelson Semedo possibly being the only new face in the starting XI after returning from injury off the bench on Saturday.
Jordi Alba came through his own return unscathed and will start at left-back again should Valverde deem him ready to play twice in quick succession.