Team News: Gareth Bale returns to Real Madrid side for El Clasico

Gareth Bale has been restored to Real Madrid's starting lineup for this evening's El Clasico meeting with fierce rivals Barcelona.

Bale is one of the host of changes for Madrid, with manager Carlo Ancelotti bringing in eight new faces from their comfortable win over Schalke in midweek.

Diego Lopez, Pepe, Marcelo, Daniel Carvalho, Luka Modric, Angel di Maria and Karim Benzema are all also brought into the starting lineup as the hosts look to pull clear at the top of the table.

Barcelona, meanwhile, make three changes of their own as Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas and Neymar come into the side, replacing Marc Bartra, Pedro and Alexis Sanchez.

Lionel Messi starts up front for the visitors, having scored a hat-trick to become the club's highest ever scorer in the 7-0 mauling of Osasuna last week.

Real Madrid: Lopez; Ramos, Pepe, Carvajal, Marcelo; Alonso, Modric, Di Maria; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema Subs: Casillas, Varane, Coentrao, Nacho, Alvaro Morata, Isco, Illarramendi

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Alba, Mascherano; Fabregas, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets; Neymar, Messi Subs: Pedro, Sanchez, Pinto, Bartra, Song, Correia, Roberto