FC Barcelona will be going into this game on the back on an unbeaten run in all competitions this season. Following a 1-0 victory over Athletic Club last weekend, they triumphed over Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the champions league to edge closer to knockout qualification. They've had some tricky opponents this season, but this will be the trickiest one yet: a visit from Real Madrid.
Los Blancos currently lead the standings in La Liga and have given more assured performances as the season has gone on. Their last league outing ended in them fighting back to scrape a draw against Sevilla, but they promptly bounced back with a victory away at Braga in the champions league. They have been tested by Atletico Madrid earlier on, but they'll see this as the biggest one yet this season.
INTERESTING STATS
-Barcelona are the only unbeaten team in the league.
-Real Madrid have the best defence in the Spanish top flight having conceded just seven goals so far.
-Jude Bellingham is the top scorer of the league with eight goals to his name.
-Los Blancos have won 101 El Clasicos, while the Catalan giants have won 100 El Clasicos out of the 253 encounters between the two.
-Barcelona have won 63 El Clasicos at home.
TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
The squad list for this clash has been a source of diverse rumours this season. Who will return from injury? Are they returning because they're fit or out of necessity, given the magnitude of the game? These are the current issues. But as it stands, Raphinha is the closest to return, while Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie DeJong may be declared fit in time. Jules Koundé and Pedri have returned to team training but are believed to not be ready just yet. Sergi Roberto remains out.
Marc Andre TerStegen will resume his duties in goal. The CB options will be an interesting one. Could Martinez, Christensen and Araujo all feature in the starting XI? That'll depend on the tactics.
Fermin Lopez has made a great case for himself recently, and with the uncertainties In midfield, he's sure to get a spot, alongside Gündoğan and Gavi, who returns to the team from suspension against Shakhtar Donetsk but is one yellow card away from a one game suspension in La Liga. Which leaves Romeu, who hasn't given completely assured performances recently and could hug the bench.
João Felix and Ferran Torres have recovered in time from their respective knocks and should lead the Frontline, if Lewandowski doesn't start, which means Lamine Yamal could feature in his first El Clasico from the start for the first team.
Real Madrid
Thibault Courtois and Eder Militao remain unavailable for selection due to their long term injuries, along with Dani Ceballos and Arda Güler, but that's about it on the injury front for Los Blancos.
Kepa, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal all retain their spots. Fran Garcia will have to fend off Ferland Mendy for the LB spot.
It's rumored that Camavinga will be benched for this fixture, which means Luka Modric and/or Toni Kross return to the lineup, alongside Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield. Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius are expected to lead the attack for Los Blancos.
What time does Barcelona vs Real Madrid kick-off?
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Stadium: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
Date: Saturday 28 October
Kick-off Time: 15:15 BST / 10:15 ET / 07:15 PT
Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano
VAR: Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez
El Clasico doesn't depend on previous form or quality on paper most of the time. It depends on who wants it the most. If Barcelona are going to win this, they'll have to see the injuries as an opportunity for others to show their quality and fight to the very end.