Barcelona v Real Madrid: La Liga – live

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“I genuinely think if Real win this game, they have every chance of coming back and winning the league,” writes Arhaan Sayed. “I definitely hope that is NOT the case, as we Barca fans have not tasted the league title since 2019. Visca el Barca!”

The teams in formation

Barcelona (4-3-3) ter Stegen; Araujo, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Roberto, Busquets, De Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Gavi.
Substitutes: Fati, Torres, Sotorres, Alonso, Alba, Kessie, Garcia, Torre, Tenas, Galiot.

Real Madrid (4-3-3) Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Modric, Camavinga, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Substitutes: Vallejo, Hazard, Asensio, Lunin, Odriozola, Vazquez, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Mendy, Diaz, Lopez.

Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.

“Evening Rob, evening everyone,” says Adam Griffiths. “I have no horse in the race so am just hoping for lots of scenes that apparently noone wants to see, and maybe some quality football. But mostly those scenes.”

How the table looks

Thirteen games, nine points. You’d think, realistically, that Real need to win today. And they sure as flip can’t afford to lose.

Team news

Xavi makes one change for last weekend’s win in Bilbao. Ronald Araujo replaces Ferran Torres, so Sergi Roberto moves into midfield and Gavi replaces Torres as the left-sided attacker.

Real Madrid are unchanged from their 1-0 victory over Liverpool in midweek.

Preamble

It’s el clasico, Madrid need to win to keep the title race alive, and a scandal’s a-brewin. There’s your preamble!