All eyes in the footballing world are set to converge on the Camp Nou, as Barcelona and Real Madrid lock horns in a blockbuster clash which is sure to be packed full of enthralling excitement, great goals and fine football.
Team News:
– FC Barcelona: Jeremy Mathieu (injured).
– Real Madrid: Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale and Alvaro Morata (all injured).
Match Facts:
Barcelona (2nd, 27 pts)
– Back-to-back stalemates in their last two league outings have seen the Azulgranas lose ground at the summit, where Los Blancos currently hold a six-point cushion on their Catalan rivals. In the wake of these recent slip-ups, this meeting with the eternal enemy represents a real acid test for Barça‘s title credentials.
– A total of eight Barcelona players have found the net in LaLiga Santander this term: Lionel Messi (9), Luis Suarez (8), Rafinha (5), Neymar (4), Arda Turan (2), Gerard Pique (2), Ivan Rakitic (2) and Mathieu.
Real Madrid (1st, 33 pts)
– The Madrilenians are undefeated so far this campaign and head to Barcelona in fine spirits. Zinedine Zidane’s charges will be looking to claim their seventh straight league win, as they bid to make a real statement and extend their advantage over the chasing pack.
– Real Madrid ran out 2-1 winners in their last league visit to the Camp Nou. Despite the Blaugranas drawing first blood courtesy of Pique’s bullet header, the visitors staged a stirring comeback with goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo securing all three points.
Getting to the Camp Nou
Address: C/ Aristides Maillol (Main entrance at No. 15) or Av. De Joan XVIII (Access from Boulevard: No. 9), 08028 Barcelona.
Metro: Lines 3 (Palau Reial and Les Corts) and 5 (Collblanc and Badal).
Bus: 7, 15, 33, 43, 56, 63, 67, 68, 70, 72, 74, 75, 78, 113, 153, 157, 158 and 167.
Tram: T1, T2 and T3 (Maria Cristina, Pius XII, Palau Reial, Zona Universitaria, Avinguda de Xile and Sant Ramon).
Time: 16:15 CET
Stadium: Camp Nou
Referee: Clos Gomez, Carlos