Barcelona vs Real Madrid prediction: How will El Clasico play out?

Fifty-two days after it was originally scheduled to take place, Barcelona host Real Madrid at the Nou Camp in tonight’s El Clasico derby.

The fixture was postponed at late notice earlier this year, after political unrest and clashes between protestors and police, with both clubs concerned about further increasing tension in the city and safety issues.

On the pitch, the bitter rivals are level at the top of the table on 35 points after 16 games of the season, meaning the winner should take the ascendancy in the title race into the halfway stage of the season.

That’s despite both sides slipping up in their previous outings with Bara held by Real Sociedad and Madrid also drawing with Valencia.

Here is everything you need to know:

When is it?

The match kicks off at 7pm on Wednesday 18 December.

How can I watch it?

The match will be broadcast live on Premier Sports, with coverage beginning at 7pm.

Team news

Barcelona: Ousmane Dembele remains absent for Barcelona, while Arthur is also struggling with injury after snowboarding sessions slowed his recovery. Nelson Semedo is available after returning from injury last weekend,

Real Madrid: Eden Hazard will miss the fixture with a foot injury, while Marcelo, James Rodriguez, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez have also all been ruled out.

Ferland Mendy can come back into the side after returning from suspension. Casemiro is expected to return to the starting line-up after being rested last weekend, while both Vinicius and Gareth Bale are pushing for a place in the eleven.

Predicted line-ups

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, De Jong; Messi, Suarez, Griezmann

Madrid​: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius

Prediction

It will, as always, be an incredibly tense encounter between the two sides, especially with the title race so close at this stage of the season.

Both sides are riding a strong wave of momentum and, in a game that could come down to the finest margins, home advantage and the unrivalled magic of Lionel Messi could prove the deciding factor.

Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid

Odds

Barcelona – 4/5

Draw – 3/1

Real Madrid – 3/1