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It's finally here. The first El Clasico of the season.
The atmosphere surrounding this particular fixture has been rather gloomy, and there's lesser anticipation among the fans than expected.
With Leo Messi fracturing his arm in Barcelona's win over Sevilla last week, Sunday's match at the Camp Nou will be the first Clasico in 11 years that will not feature both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Besides, both the Spanish heavyweights haven't had an ideal start to the season. Barcelona are at the top of the points table in LaLiga, but Valverde hasn't completely convinced fans yet – they turned on the team's style of play in their comfortable victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek.
Real Madrid's season so far can only be described as disastrous. They may be only four points off the top of the league, but they've already lost thrice this season, and have scored just three goals in their last six matches.
Against Viktoria Plzen, they won 2-1 this week, thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Marcelo. However, Los Blancos could have easily lost the tie had the Czech side had taken all their chances.
On paper, there's barely anything to separate the two teams. Based on their form, Barca have a slight edge even with Messi out injured, but that's hardly how football plays out in real life.
So here's our take on an El Clasico combined XI ahead of tomorrow's blockbuster clash:
GK: Marc-André ter Stegen
Absolute no-brainer.
Ever since he became first choice after Claudio Bravo left for Manchester City, Ter Stegen has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Week in, week out, his saves defy the laws of physics.
Even though Real Madrid signed Courtois in the summer for a very reasonable fee of £35 million, Lopetegui still seems to be unsure of whether he wants the Belgian or Keylor Navas as his first choice between the poles.
Right-back: Sergi Roberto
Dani Carvajal has been in splendid form this season and would have made this XI, had he not been ruled out of Sunday's match with an injury.
Valverde has utilised both Roberto and Semedo at right-back this season, but the latter has mostly played only when the former is deployed in midfield. The 26-year-old Spaniard has been as reliable as ever this season.
Real Madrid went with Lucas Vasquez at right back against Plzen, but will mostly go for the safer option of Nacho against Barca.
Centre-back: Sergio Ramos
Both Real and Barca have struggled defensively this season, with Ramos and Pique receiving the brunt of the criticism.
Following a poor World Cup, Ramos took over Ronaldo's mantle as Real Madrid's talisman, and to be fair, a lot of the criticism against him has been unwarranted.
He was, however, caught out too many times in the Champions League this week, and the Clasico comes at an important stage of the season. Even though Messi is out of action, he'll have his hands full with Suarez and Coutinho.
Centre-back: Raphael Varane
Varane is on the back of an impressive showing at the World Cup in Russia, where he superbly marshalled a young French defence that kept 4 clean sheets on the way to the title.
His performances for Real Madrid haven't been as good though, but he marginally edges Gerard Pique out on stats. Clement Lenglet has also been impressive since Samuel Umtiti's injury, but the 23-year-old still doesn't quite have the experience of Varane.
With Lopetegui's job on the line, Varane will have to be at the top of his game on Sunday.
Left-back: Jordi Alba
It's close between Marcelo and Jordi Alba, but the Brazilian hasn't had as much game time as his Barca counterpart. Lopetegui has rotated him with Nacho at left-back.
Alba's link-up play with Messi is still crucial for the Catalans, but it's clear that he's no longer the player he once was. Barcelona are rumoured to be in the market for a backup left back in January. He did, however, score against Inter in midweek, and will go into the Clasico with a lot of confidence.
With Carvajal out injured for Real, Alba will be looking forward to causing problems for the Los Blancos on the left flank.
CDM: Sergio Busquets
Sergio Busquets may be 30 now, but he's still as good as he was under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.
He's been one of Barcelona's stand-out players this season alongside Messi. It's a bit cruel to leave Casemiro out because the Brazilian's been pretty decent as well, but Busquets is easily the best holding midfielder in the world right now.
Real Madrid may be struggling to get goals, but El Clasico always brings out the best in both teams. Busquets will have to be on his toes for the entire 90 minutes.
Central Midfielder: Toni Kroos
Following a severely disappointing World Cup in Russia, Toni Kroos is back to what he does best for Real Madrid.
The German has an incredible 94.4% passing accuracy in LaLiga this season. Real may be struggling on the front foot, but Kroos has kept the midfield ticking.
His error in the Champions League tie against CSKA Moscow led to a goal that eventually cost Madrid the match, but he's hardly placed a foot wrong apart from that this season.
Central midfielder: Ivan Rakitic
This is a tough choice considering Luka Modric, Arthur Melo and Isco are some other options for this position, but Rakitic's fine form this season gives him the edge.
With all due respect to his compatriot Modric, the Croatian is now 33 years old and is nearing the end of an incredible career. Arthur and Isco are both immensely talented players, but they haven't had as much game time as Rakitic so far. He is still at the top of his game, and a crucial component of Barca's midfield.
One of Barcelona's highlights of this season has been his thunderous volley that he buried in the 4-2 win over Tottenham in the Champions League. Valverde could use something like that from him on Sunday.
Left winger: Philippe Coutinho
With Messi out injured, the onus of making things happen in the final third for Barcelona will fall to Coutinho.
The 26-year-old is, without a doubt, a brilliant playmaker, but there is a feeling among fans that he is yet to justify his humongous £142 million transfer fee. He has still played well this season, scoring three goals and assisting one.
He'll relish the opportunity to go up against an unsettled Real Madrid defence at the Camp Nou on Sunday.
Striker: Luis Suarez
There have been concerns about Luis Suarez's age and performances this season, but this week against Milan, he showed glimpses of what he can still offer.
It was the 31-year-old Uruguayan at his vintage best. He tormented the Italians' midfield and defence the entire night and played an inch-perfect ball into the box to set up Rafinha's opener.
Karim Benzema scored four goals in the first three matches of the season, and there was brief hope among the fans that he might take up Ronaldo's mantle. But he hasn't netted since then, and Suarez gets in thanks to his current form.
Right winger: Gareth Bale
Like Benzema, Bale started the season on a high but has failed to impress since. He is, however, still Real Madrid's go-to man after Ronaldo's departure.
He has three goals and two assists in LaLiga so far this season. He's been used as both a traditional winger and as part of a front two alongside Benzema. It remains to be seen where he will be utilised on Sunday.
Lopetegui desperately needs Bale to step up to the challenge against Barca. He will be the focal point around which Real's attack will revolve, and it'll be the perfect time for him to get back among the goals.
