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La Liga | Gameweek 10
Dec 18, 2019 at 7pm UK
 
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How Barcelona could line up against Real Madrid

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up for Wednesday's Clasico showdown with Real Madrid at Camp Nou.

Barcelona host bitter rivals Real Madrid in the first Clasico of the season and the last one of the decade on Wednesday night, with nothing separating the two sides at the top of La Liga.

Originally planned for October, Barcelona go into this rescheduled contest level on points with Madrid but sitting above them courtesy of their slightly superior goal difference.

Both teams have only lost one of their last 17 outings across all competitions, but Barcelona's formidable home record seemingly gives them the advantage in a contest between two evenly-matched sides.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Ernesto Valverde could line his Barca side up for the contest.



Possible BAR XI vs. RMA

Out: Ousmane Dembele (thigh)
Doubtful: Arthur (adductor)

> Click here for Barcelona's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Barcelona will still be without long-term absentee Ousmane Dembele for this match, meaning that they are unlikely to change from their star-studded front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann.

Griezmann and Suarez were both on the scoresheet at the weekend, while the latter hit a hat-trick on Madrid's last league visit to Camp Nou, and Messi is the all-time leading scorer in El Clasico with 26 goals.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner once again leads the scoring charts in La Liga this season alongside Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, and he will be keen to turn on the style again after missing the corresponding fixture last season through injury.

Midfielder Arthur's recovery from injury has reportedly been prolonged by his decision to go snowboarding on two occasions recently, and he is not expected to be ready in time for Wednesday's match.

It could be a largely unchanged side from the one which drew 2-2 with Real Sociedad at the weekend, then, with the fit-again Nelson Semedo possibly being the only new face in the starting XI after returning from injury off the bench on Saturday.

Jordi Alba came through his own return unscathed and will start at left-back again should Valverde deem him ready to play twice in quick succession.

> Click here to see how Real Madrid could line up for this contest

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Barney Corkhill
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Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde pictured on November 5, 2019
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
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