The peace and quiet of the international break will be broken by the screech of football's most famous rivalry on Saturday, as Barcelona host Real Madrid in the latest edition of El Clásico. The Catalans head in as strong favorites, and currently sit at the La Liga summit, a healthy nine points clear of second-placed Atlético Madrid. They've not lost in the league since October, and it's difficult to envision an inconsistent Real Madrid being able to keep their attack quiet.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, 2016 El Clásico: Time, TV schedule, team news
La Liga leaders Barcelona host their old rivals Real Madrid on Saturday.
However, recent signs have suggested Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has steered his side through some choppy waters, with four straight league wins moving them within a point of their crosstown rivals Atléti. It remains to be seen how adept he'll be at the tricky task of setting up a side to face the fiercest attack in world football -- this is the first Clásico in which he's had direct involvement since retiring as a player.
Key player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
As good as Barcelona are, when you’ve got Cristiano Ronaldo in your ranks, you’ve always got a chance. Real Madrid will be reliant on their star attacker delivering an outstanding performance on the counter-attack if they’re to win this game, and they’ve got reason to believe: Ronaldo currently sits two points clear of Barça striker Luis Suárez at the top of the La Liga scoring charts, and you can bet your bottom dollar he’ll be desperate to hold onto that individual honor.
Recent history
Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 win over Rafael Benítez’s Real Madrid in the only previous edition of El Clásico this season. It was the Catalan club’s second consecutive derby victory, ending a run of two straight Real Madrid wins in this most prestigious of fixtures. However, not since April 2012 have Real Madrid won away at Camp Nou in the league, and they’d do well to repeat the feat on Saturday.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Adriano (hamstring); Jérémy Mathieu (knee); Sandro Ramírez (quadriceps). In doubt: Jordi Alba (ankle).
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Borja Mayoral (thigh); Raphaël Varane (calf).
Barca will be without defenders Adriano and Mathieu, and young attacker Sandro, but are hoping to have first-team left back Alba back from an ankle sprain. Madrid have no certain absentees, but defender Varane and teenage forward Mayoral face late fitness tests.
Match date/time: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET, 8:30 p.m. local
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
TV: beIN Sports (US and Canada - English); beIN Sports en Español (US and Canada - Spanish); Sky Sports 2/HD (UK)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (US and Canada); fuboTV (US); Sky Go (UK)
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