Team News: Gonzalo Higuain starts for Real Madrid against Barcelona

Gonzalo Higuain has been given the nod ahead of Karim Benzema in Real Madrid's starting lineup against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu this evening.

The defending La Liga champions are at home for the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup, having lost the first leg 3-2 at the Nou Camp last week.

Argentine winger Angel Di Maria too starts against the Blaugrana, as do Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pepe and Sergio Ramos are the two centre-backs that coach Jose Mourinho has decided to deploy against the Barca attacking trio of Pedro, Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez.

Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are the three midfielders for Tito Vilanova's side, with Victor Valdes starting in goal despite his howler in the first leg.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Khedira, Alonso, Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo, Higuain

Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Alexis