The two biggest clubs in Spanish football will lock horns for the first time this season on Saturday afternoon, with the reigning champions Barcelona welcoming Real Madrid to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Real Madrid lead the La Liga table after 10 matches, picking up 25 points in 2023-24 courtesy of a record of eight wins, one draw and one defeat.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are third on 24 points, with their record this season reading seven wins and three draws, with Xavi's side unbeaten in all competitions this season.
The Catalan outfit have won their last two games, beating Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in the league last weekend before overcoming Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, were held to a 1-1 draw by Sevilla in the league last time out, but they beat Braga 2-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, so their recovery time for this game will be slightly longer.
There will be a number of the world's leading players on display on Saturday, and with that in mind, Sports Mole picks a combined XI from both squads, using only players available for the clash.
With Thibaut Courtois missing due to a serious knee injury, it was not a difficult decision to pick the goalkeeper in this side. Kepa Arrizabalaga has performed well since arriving on loan at Real Madrid from Chelsea, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen has again been in excellent form for Barcelona, with the 31-year-old firmly cementing his position as one of the leading stoppers in world football.
Joao Cancelo gets the nod over Dani Carvajal at right-back, with the former coming up with two goals and one assist in 10 appearances for Barcelona since arriving on loan from Man City. It was a close call, but Cancelo offers that little bit of additional quality in the final third of the field.
On the opposite side, Alejandro Balde is selected, with the 20-year-old enjoying a fine campaign for Barcelona. Left-back is a curious position for Real Madrid, with Fran Garcia, Ferland Mendy and Eduardo Camavinga all used in that area, so it was not difficult to select Balde, who has made 12 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign.
Real Madrid's Eder Militao and Barcelona's Jules Kounde are both out through injury, so it is Ronald Araujo and David Alaba in the middle of the defence. Both players have had fitness problems this season, but they are available for El Clasico and are absolutely vital for their respective teams. Araujo has only made seven appearances this season, but the difference when he is not in the XI is clear to see.
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Barcelona are missing Pedri and Frenkie de Jong - two players who would have had a serious chance of being involved in the midfield for this particular side - due to injury problems.
There is a spot for Ilkay Gundogan, though, with the German in brilliant form since his arrival from Man City over the summer. The 33-year-old has provided four assists in 13 appearances for Barcelona, and he has demonstrated that he is still one of the most effective midfielders in world football.
Eduardo Camavinga just gets the nod over Aurelien Tchouameni at the base of the midfield despite the latter's strong form this season. It was difficult to include either Toni Kroos or Luka Modric, but Gavi is unfortunate to miss out, with the 19-year-old again an important player for Barcelona this season.
Camavinga has again been asked to play as a left-back at times this term, and it would not be a shock to see him in that position on Saturday, but he plays his best football as a midfielder, with the Frenchman again demonstrating his class during the 2023-24 campaign.
Federico Valverde makes up the midfield, with the Uruguay international contributing one goal and three assists in 13 appearances this season. The 25-year-old's work-rate and quality on the ball make him a vital player for Real Madrid, and he will undoubtedly be in their first XI this weekend.
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Jude Bellingham forms part of the attack, with the England international in stunning form since arriving at Bernabeu. The 20-year-old has 11 goals and three assists in 12 appearances for Los Blancos this season, having settled effortlessly into life at the club. Bellingham suffered a slight issue against Braga last time out but is set to be cleared to feature in what will be his biggest Real Madrid game to date.
Bellingham's teammate Vinicius Junior also had to be included, with the Brazil international becoming one of the best players in world football over the last couple of seasons. The forward has had his fitness problems this season but has contributed three goals and three assists in nine appearances, and the 23-year-old's numbers will surely continue to rise as the season develops.
There is still a question mark surrounding Robert Lewandowski's fitness for this match, with the Poland international recently sidelined due to an ankle issue. Barcelona are hopeful that he will make it, though, and with what in mind, there had to be a spot for the 35-year-old, who has six goals and four assists in 10 appearances this season.
Rodrygo has flattered to deceive for Real Madrid this season, but Joselu is worth a mention due to his five goals this season. As for Barcelona, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal has become a vital player in 2023-24, while Joao Felix has impressed since arriving on loan from Atletico Madrid, but Vinicius and Lewandowski were always going to be the most advanced players in this side.
Matt Law
