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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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Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde pictured on November 5, 2019
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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