Played
October 7, 2012 7:50 PM SAST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee:‬ Carlos Delgado‎
Attendance:‬ 95000‎
 

Barcelona - Real Madrid Preview: Los Merengues visit Camp Nou with title hopes in the balance

Jose Mourinho's side will be desperate to hand a first Liga defeat to their great rivals as they brace for a highly-charged Clasico meeting in the Catalan capital

By Karthick Arvinth

More On :  Barcelona, Real Madrid, Barcelona vs Real Madrid


  PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA

Valdes
Alves, Song, Mascherano, Adriano
Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta
Pedro, Messi, Sanchez
REAL MADRID

Casillas
Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo
Khedira, Alonso
Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo
Benzema
STEVE MCMANAMAN ON EL CLASICO
From comment and analysis to post-match fallout, Goal.com has got all angles covered

Barcelona will assess Gerard Pique's fitness ahead of Sunday's Primera Division showdown with Real Madrid at Camp Nou.

The Spain defender has not played for two weeks because of a foot injury but managed to train in the gym on Friday.

Carles Puyol (elbow) and Thiago Alcantara (knee) are ruled out, meaning converted midfielders Alex Song and Javier Mascherano are likely to resume their partnership in central defence.

Sami Khedira and Angel Di Maria are set to return to the starting line-up for Real Madrid, who have no injury concerns.

The biggest selection dilemma for boss Jose Mourinho is likely to be over the playmaker role, with Mesut Ozil, Luka Modric, Kaka and Michael Essien all vying for a starting berth.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Barcelona are facing Real Madrid for the 222nd time in all competitions. The Catalans have 87 wins to Real's 88.
  • The Blaugrana have won their last six matches across all competitions since losing 2-1 to Madrid in the Supercopa.
  • Should Barca win on Sunday, it will represent their best ever start to a Liga campaign.
  • Alexis Sanchez (pictured right) is in line to make his 50th appearance for the Catalan outfit.
  • Real Madrid have lost three of their last five away matches in all competitions.
  • The Castilian giants have won just one of their last eight Liga encounters with Barcelona (W1, D1, L6).
  • Jose Mourinho's record against Barcelona with Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid is W6, D7, L10. The 10 defeats against Barca are the most against any club in Mourinho's managerial career.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 12 goals across all competitions this season, two more than Barca talisman Lionel Messi.

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Field Report
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Odds
Team News
Available Squads
1Víctor ValdésGoalkeeper
2Daniel AlvesDefender
18Jordi AlbaDefender
21AdrianoDefender
4Cesc FàbregasMidfielder
6XaviMidfielder
8Andrés Iniesta LujánMidfielder
14Javier MascheranoMidfielder
16BusquetsMidfielder
10Lionel MessiStriker
17PedroStriker
13José Pinto ColoradoGoalkeeper
32BartraDefender
35MontoyaDefender
25Alex SongMidfielder
30Sergi RobertoMidfielder
7David VillaStriker
9Alexis SánchezStriker
1Iker CasillasGoalkeeper
3PepeDefender
4Sergio RamosDefender
12MarceloDefender
17ArbeloaDefender
6Sami KhediraMidfielder
10Mesut ÖzilMidfielder
14Xabi AlonsoMidfielder
22Ángel Di MaríaMidfielder
7Cristiano RonaldoStriker
9Karim BenzemaStriker
13AdánGoalkeeper
15Fabio CoentraoDefender
18Raúl Albiol TortajadaDefender
8KakáMidfielder
5Michael EssienMidfielder
16Luka ModricMidfielder
20Gonzalo HiguaínStriker
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Match News
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barca 		46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real 		34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atl. Madrid 		28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia 		21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla 		20 3