Barcelona v Real Madrid preview

Spain's top-two all set for Sunday's showdown

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 23rd December 2007

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Sunday will see the first El Clasico of the season when Real Madrid arrive at the Camp Nou to take on Barcelona.

The game is widely regarded as the most fiercely contested derby in European football, and has produced some fascinating spectacles down the years.

Perhaps one of the greatest games between these two giants was the corresponding fixture last year, when a Lionel Messi hat-trick saw Barcelona snatch a point in a 3-3 draw after falling behind three times.

Champions

Real went on to finish the last campaign as Primera Liga champions, and are leading the way again this year, four points clear of their bitter rivals.

Bernd Schuster's side have lost just twice so far this season, and are beginning to play the kind of football which the Bernabeu board and supporters expect.

Strikers Ruud van Nistelrooy and Raul both have eight goals so far this season, whilst Robinho and Wesley Sneijder have both contributed five from midfield. This considerable firepower has helped to make Real the league's highest scorers with 36 in just 16 games.

Off the pace

Barcelona may have also only lost twice so far, but they have only won on two occasions away from the Camp Nou and as such find themselves slightly off the pace.

From a positive perspective, the Catalan club have won all eight of their home league games so far, conceding just four goals. However, they know that not even a win will see them replace Real at the top of the table going into the winter break.

Messi out, Henry back

Unfortunately, an occasion which deserves to be blessed by the best players in the world will this time be missing the mercurial talents of Messi, after he picked up a thigh injury in a recent game with Valencia.

Andres Iniesta should fill-in for the Argentine, whilst Thierry Henry has been passed fit after recovering from a back injury, and could get his first taste of El Clasico.

Real Madrid have no fresh injury concerns going into the game, but they may decide to go with experience as opposed to youthful enthusiasm in such an intense atmosphere. That could mean that Sneijder will make way for Guti, whilst Gabriel Heinze may replace Marcelo at left-back.

Both managers are keeping their cards close to their chests though, and may yet spring a few surprises by the time the players enter the arena on Sunday evening.

Bet now on Sunday's El Clasico