The eleven players who will get the nod for the world's biggest game. We take a look
It's the biggest football match on the planet, and it's this Saturday.
El clásico pits two of the world's greatest clubs head-to-head and this weekend's fixture is laden with storylines to unpick and things to watch out for.
But first and foremost it's going to be about the three points on the line and the eleven players on the field.
Rafael Benitez has some tough line-up decisions to make but has had a couple of weeks with many of his biggest stars in Madrid to work on a gameplan.
We expect Barca to line up like this, but who will Rafa choose? Ed Malyon takes a look
Keylor Navas
The Costa Rican shined at World Cup 2014, and when he’s been given the opportunity at Real Madrid he has similarly dazzled.
So close to leaving the club on deadline day, Navas has arguably been Madrid’s best player this season and has only conceded three goals in 15 games this season.
His record at the Bernabeu is even better, where he is yet to concede, and if he’s fit then Barcelona know the final line of defence will be tough to breach.
Dani Carvajal
The Spain full-back has been injured recently but if he’s fit you’d expect him to replace Danilo after the Brazilian struggled so badly against Sevilla.
Carvajal will have a hell of a task in keeping Neymar quiet down that side, as the Barca man has been in sensational form recently.
But he’s locked him down before and this is going to be one of the key battles that decides this game.
Sergio Ramos
The Real Madrid skipper will likely have an injection in his troublesome shoulder so he can play this final game before having surgery.
That’s how crucial Rafa Benitez feels he is to the team, and the evidence bears out that suggestion with Madrid crumbling from 1-0 when he went off injured in Seville to a 3-2 humiliation.
Expect him to be really up for this game.
Raphael Varane
It’s tough to leave out Nacho after he’s deputised so ably but the clásico is no time for pity and Varane can expect to start alongside his captain.
Varane’s exceptional recovery speed will be absolutely crucial in trying to suppress the fearsome Barcelona attack, and may see him get the nod over a returning Pepe.
And the Frenchman could be the game’s star if he can shackle a returning Lionel Messi coming off the flank.
Marcelo
Prone to leaving space in behind, Marcelo is a player often targeted by top-class opposition.
Paris Saint-Germain tried as much recently, but despite an injury you’d have to say that the Brazilian remains Benitez’s best option at left-back.
If Nacho were to start there instead then it would send a very negative message.
Casemiro
The midfielder has been excellent this season at breaking up play and deserves his place in the team.
For a game like this he will be perfect, mopping up the hole in front of Ramos and Varane so Barca can’t find space.
But he still fails to contribute much going forward.
Toni Kroos
World Cup winner Kroos hasn’t had a great season so far in Madrid.
But he will have bigger gaps to thread the ball into than he usually does as Barca take the game to Real Madrid.
A big game for him to show what he’s capable of.
Luka Modrić
Real Madrid’s metronome and one of their most important players.
The Croat was rested from international duty and thus will head into el clásico in tip-top physical shape.
If he runs the midfield as he’s capable of, they win this game.
Gareth Bale
The Welshman hasn’t had a great campaign thus far, putting in little meaningful action on the field for Real Madrid.
He has provoked the ire of the Madrid faithful in putting Wales ahead of his club at times this season but has spent the last fortnight in the Spanish capital getting fit for this game.
His inclusion ahead of James Rodriguez will likely cause outcry should Barcelona win.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese hasn’t been himself this season.
Yet a game like this, where he’s not particularly targeted by the opposition, could see him bounce back.
Possibly Ronaldo’s last clásico at the Bernabeu - he’ll want to win it.
Karim Benzema
The off-the-field stuff seems pretty serious but this is a guy who, on the field, has been excellent for Real Madrid this campaign.
He’s been a game-winner several times when Ronaldo hasn’t turned up for Rafael Benitez’s men, but hasn’t played since injuring himself on international duty with France.
A fortnight of training with the squad will be great for him, but will he be match-sharp?
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