Sneijder Set To Start El Clásico, Sergio Ramos Left-Back

Real Madrid look set to start with Wesley Sneijder in El Clásico and also look like they will deploy Sergio Ramos at left-back, with Michel Salgado at right-back...

13 Dec 2008 18:50:32

Guti celebrates with Wesley Sneijder, scorer of Real Madrid's winner against Recreativo Huelva.

Teams

It's the biggest game of the season in La Liga and it looks as though Real Madrid will be playing without a recognised left-back.

Marca reports that Sergio Ramos is going to play at left-back for the defending champions whilst Michel Salgado will play right-back.

In midfield they will welcome back Wesley Sneijder and he should play alongside Fernando Gago, Guti and Royston Drenthe.

Juande Ramos has said this week that he does not want to risk Sneijder if he is not fully fit so presumably the Dutch international has recovered from his injury well.

For Barcelona it should be pretty much the expected line-up, with Yaya Touré, Xavi and Eidur Gudjohnsen in the midfield and the front three of Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry ahead of them.

If Barcelona do manage to beat Real Madrid they will extend their lead over Los Blancos to twelve points and will move nine points clear of second place Villarreal.

The form in the league all points in the favour of Barcelona and the only hope for Madrid is that they can continue where they left off against Zenit St. Petersburg in the week.

James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com