Big Match Breakdown: Barcelona v Real Madrid

Barca will also be without injured centre-backs Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen.

Dani Carvajal is unavailable for Los Blancos. Julen Lopetegui will have to decide whether to go with the more experienced Nacho or new signing Alvaro Odriozola at right-back.

Marco Asensio should join Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale in an exciting Real front three.

Key Battles

The two clubs have always had electric forward-lines down the years.

But this year with some key men missing it could all come down to the midfield.

Both sides looked settled in this area, Madrid’s star names just roll off the tongue these days.

A midfield three of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and FIFA golden Ball winner Luka Modric looks formidable.

They will more than likely clash the silky trio of Sergio Busquets, Arthur and Ivan Rakitic.

The middle third of the pitch is where this duel could be won and lost.

Match Odds

Home advantage could count here. Ernesto Valverde’s men are 19/20 to win. Madrid are 13/5 to win at the Camp Nou.

A second-successive draw is 11/4.

Both Teams to Score for the seventh game in nine meetings is 1/2.

Philippe Coutinho to step up in Messi’s absence and score 2 goals or more is 7/1.

Bale to score and Madrid to win is 7/1.

22-year-old Asensio has already scored in El Clasico and is 13/5 to do so again.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing