LIVE: Real Madrid vs Barcelona | El Clasico | La Liga FEB 2nd 2019
Match info:
Time: 21:45 Cairo Local Time | 14:45 ET
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, REAL MADRID
Real Madrid will make a final attempt to launch a bid for the Primera Division title when they host Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu in a critical Clasico on Saturday.
Los Blancos are nine points behind their great rivals in the standings with only 13 matches remaining and a defeat would surely end their hopes.
Barca have already ended Madrids Copa del Rey dream this week, with their 3-0 win in the capital on Wednesday comprehensively eliminating their hosts, sending them out of the cup competition 4-1 on aggregate.
Real Madrid will be without the suspended Nacho for this encounter.
Marcos Llorente is out injured while Sergio Ramos is expected to shake off a knock to start in the heart of the defence.
Thibaut Courtois and Gareth Bale, who were substitutes in midweek, are set to be recalled into the starting XI.
Possible Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Reguilon; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Vinicius
Barcelona will have virtually a full squad available for Saturdays Clasico. Thomas Vermaelen and Rafinha are absent with a calf and knee problem respectively.
Arthur is set to be recalled to the starting XI, with Sergi Roberto liable to be the man dropping to the bench.
Possible Barcelona starting XI: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur; Messi, Suarez, Dembele