Monday 26 October 2020 11:44, UK
No Ronaldo. No Bale. So who does make the El Clasico combined XI according to the stats?
There is arguably no bigger clash in world football than Real Madrid versus Barcelona, with the two giants of Spanish and indeed European football going head-to-head for the first time this season live on Sky Sports on Saturday.
Both teams are steeped in talent - but which players would make a combined XI?
We've asked WhoScored.com to reveal the best combined XI between the sides based on their statistically calculated league ratings - and there were some shock omissions!
Read on to see who did - and who didn't - make the cut…
Keylor Navas (Real Madrid) - 7.55 rating
His Real Madrid future may have been shrouded in doubt this summer but after Los Blancos' attempts to sign David de Gea from Manchester United failed the Costa Rican was keen to prove worthy of replacing club legend Iker Casillas. He's certainly done that so far, picking up the highest rating of any goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues having conceded just three goals in nine league appearances, saving penalties against Real Betis and in the derby with Atletico.
Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) - 7.44 rating
He may have fallen out of favour under Rafa Benitez, with summer signing Danilo ahead of Carvajal in the pecking order at right-back, but the Spaniard has secured the higher rating of the two. In his six league appearances Madrid have conceded just twice, with Carvajal usurping his Brazilian teammate's figures in both key passes (1.5) and dribbles (1.5) per game.
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) - 7.64 rating
Tipped to play through the pain barrier on Saturday as he struggles to overcome a shoulder injury - aggravated while performing an acrobatic bicycle kick to give his side the lead against Sevilla earlier this month. The hosts will certainly be hoping their captain is fit to start. Ramos is the highest-rated centre-back in La Liga, averaging 3.8 interceptions per game over his six appearances.
Gerard Pique (Barcelona) - 7.09 rating
Ramos is joined at the back by his international team-mate Gerard Pique. Like Ramos, the 28-year old has seen his playing time restricted this term but comes into the Clasico fully fit. Only two La Liga centre-backs have won more aerial duels per game (3.6).
Marcelo (Real Madrid) - 7.88 rating
The highest-rated defender in Europe's top five leagues, Marcelo has made an excellent start to the season, captaining Real Madrid in Ramos' absence, and the Brazilian could yet lead Benitez's side out at the Bernabeu. The left-back completes the defence having scored twice and registered an assist in 10 league appearances, averaging 2.7 tackles and two dribbles per game thus far.
Sergi Roberto (Barcelona) - 7.29 rating
This season has proven to be a breakthrough one for La Masia graduate Sergi Roberto, whose versatility has been a real asset to Luis Enrique. Fielded at right-back and in his favoured central midfield role, the 23-year old has already made twice the number of league starts (eight) than in any other season, registering three assists - no Barcelona player has managed more - and earning the WhoScored man of the match award in meetings with Athletic Bilbao and Las Palmas.
Luka Modric (Real Madrid) - 7.52 rating
In an increasingly withdrawn role in the Real Madrid midfield, Luka Modric may not be directly contributing to many goals this season - he has just one assist to his name - but all of his side's attacking moves tend to flow through the Croatian. The 30-year-old is unfortunate not to have more than a solitary assist to his name, averaging 2.4 key passes per game, while a pass accuracy of 92.1 per cent is the second-best in La Liga.
Casemiro (Real Madrid) - 7.32 rating
Fast becoming a regular in Benitez's side since his return to the Bernabeu after a successful loan spell at Porto, Casemiro's defensive qualities could be crucial in Saturday's big clash. The Brazilian has produced more tackles per game (3.2) than any team-mate despite three of his nine league appearances coming as a substitute, with only two players to make more than five league appearances producing a tackle more often (every 20 minutes) in La Liga.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 8.44 rating
Another player facing a race to be fit in time for Saturday's kick-off, Lionel Messi is hoping to make his return from a two-month absence due to a knee injury at the Bernabeu. By his standards the Argentinean made something of a subdued start to the season before his lay-off but still had a direct hand in five goals during six appearances, while he also ranks second in terms of dribbles this season (39) despite seeing just 401 of a possible 990 minutes of action.
Luis Suarez (Barcelona) - 7.79 rating
Leading the line in this XI, Luis Suarez has really come into his own after something of a slow start to the season. The Uruguayan is second in La Liga's scoring charts, with nine, and could have had more having hit the woodwork three times already - no player has done so more often in Europe's top five leagues. With six goals in his last four La Liga appearances, Suarez is in top form heading into El Clasico.
Neymar (Barcelona) - 8.63 rating
The highest-rated player in Europe's top five leagues this season - ensuring there is no place for Cristiano Ronaldo (7.68 rating) in this best XI - Neymar is in the form of his life at present. The Brazil captain has flourished in Messi's absence, taking his league tallies to 11 goals, three assists and 43 successful dribbles for the season - it will be intriguing to see whether he can keep hold of the spotlight upon his team-mate's return.
All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find live in-game data as well as player and team ratings. You can follow all the scores, statistics, live player and team ratings with their free app.
Watch Real Madrid v Barcelona live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5pm on Saturday
