This weekend will be the first Clasico to not feature Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo since December 2007, with the former missing out due to a fractured arm and the latter leaving Real Madrid for Juventus in the summer.
For the past 10 years, the eyes of the football world have been on Messi's battles with Ronaldo in El Clasico, but neither will be playing on Sunday afternoon when Barcelona and Real Madrid go head-to-head at Camp Nou.
Barcelona currently sit top of La Liga on 18 points, but Real Madrid are just four points off the summit as things stand, despite sitting down in seventh position.
Both teams have their injury problems ahead of the match, but can still call upon some of the best players in world football, which makes for a very strong combined XI.
With that in mind, Sports Mole has selected the best team from both squads, using only players available for this weekend's match.
While Thibaut Courtois is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in world football, there is no question that the Belgium international has struggled to find his best form since arriving at Real Madrid. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, on the other hand, has been simply excellent for Barcelona this term, and his selection between the sticks in this particular XI is, in truth, an easy choice.
In defence, Dani Carvajal will definitely miss out for Real Madrid this weekend, while Marcelo is also struggling with a knock that he picked up against Inter Milan. As a result, we have gone with a back three here, and Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane both make it despite some inconsistent form in recent weeks. The Madrid pair are class acts despite the team's struggles this term, and they are joined by Barcelona constant Gerard Pique in a back three that has just about everything.
The midfield is tougher to select, however, with a lot of talent to choose from. The nature of the 3-4-3 formation means that at least one of the four should be a wide player, and we have pushed Jordi Alba forward from left-back.
Alba has been excellent for Barcelona this season, and he is joined by the ever-consistent Sergio Busquets. Much like Ramos and Varane, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos have struggled to show their best form for Madrid this season, but the duo must be included when considering their talent and experience. Modric is selected wide here but could drop inside, with Bale playing more as a right-winger.
It seems strange picking a Clasico XI without Ronaldo or Messi, but that certainly opens up the field. Gareth Bale has four goals and four assists in 11 Real games this season, and is joined by Phillipe Coutinho, who has four goals and three assists in 13 matches for Barcelona this term.
The central striking role is therefore between Karim Benzema and Luis Suarez, and the latter just takes it. Suarez has actually scored fewer goals (four) than Benzema (six) this season. However, the Uruguay international would work better in this particular XI and is very difficult to leave out.
Matt Law
