'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Pedri vs Casemiro
Barcelona and Real Madrid have both placed plenty of emphasis on their midfield this season and their decisions are starting to pay dividends this year. Pedri, in particular, has made waves in La Liga with his array of skills and has been a hallmark of Barcelona's transition under Ronald Koeman.
The teenage midfielder has already displayed the maturity of a seasoned campaigner and will prove to be a handful for Real Madrid this weekend. Casemiro is one of Real Madrid's most in-form players at the moment and will likely be tasked with disrupting Pedri's movements in the midfield.
Casemiro also presents a viable threat in the final third and his wealth of experience bodes well for Los Blancos in this fixture. The Brazilian midfielder did not see much of Pedri in the reverse fixture last year but Ronald Koeman's new formation at Barcelona will likely pit the two midfielders against each other this weekend.
#2 Frenkie de Jong vs Toni Kroos
Real Madrid have relied heavily on their experienced stars this season and Toni Kroos has stepped up to the plate for Zinedine Zidane this year. The German maestro is in the form of his life at the moment and will want to ensure that his side dominates against Barcelona this weekend.
Frenkie de Jong has also shown tremendous improvement under Ronald Koeman this season and will be up against a stern test against Real Madrid. The Barcelona star has played as his side's third centre-back this season but might have to move into the midfield to level the playing field in this fixture.
The two midfielders have enjoyed stellar campaigns so far and have massive roles to play in the outcome of this game. Toni Kroos and Frenkie de Jong are two of the best midfielders in the world at the moment and their box-to-box abilities will have to come to the fore for Real Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday.
#1 Lionel Messi vs Karim Benzema
Lionel Messi did not enjoy the best of starts to his La Liga campaign but is now back to his exhilarating peak. The Argentine talisman has scored an astonishing 23 goals in 25 league games so far this season and his impeccable record against Real Madrid holds Barcelona in good stead going into this fixture.
Real Madrid have their own talisman in Karim Benzema and the Frenchman has stepped up for his side this season. Benzema is the glue that binds Real Madrid's attack together and his experience and poise will be crucial to his side's chances against Barcelona on Saturday.
Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema might not encounter each other frequently on the pitch but their performances will have a massive bearing on this match. The two seasoned campaigners are perfectly capable of singlehandedly determining the course of this game and will have to be at their best this weekend.
Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Who has had a better 2020/21 season?
