Barcelona vs Real Madrid line-ups: confirmed team news, predicted XIs, most recent injury for El Clasico clash today

The Camp Nou clash could give the Blaugrana a 12-point lead over Real in the La Liga title race, with just 12 games remaining this season.

However, Xavi will be without key midfielder Pedri, who was keen to return from a hamstring injury in time for the game amid mixed reports over his fitness.

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While Spanish newspapers Sport and Mundo Deportivo initially reported that the 20-year-old would be involved in El Clasico, Marca and AS painted a more pessimistic picture.

A big clue to Pedri’s availability came on Friday night when he withdrew from the Spain squad for internationals later this month. He was subsequently dropped from Barca’s squad for tonight’s game.

Ousmane Dembele is ruled out for Barcelona after top scorer Robert Lewandowski returned from injury for last week’s win at Athletic Club. Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo is also back from suspension today.

Meanwhile, Real were nervously awaiting Karim Benzema’s fitness after picking up a knock midweek.

The 35-year-old limped out of the Champions League Round of 16 second-leg victory over Liverpool shortly after scoring the winner and then missed training on Friday. However, he is considered fit for El Clasico.

Ferland Mendy is back in the Madrid squad but David Alaba and Alvaro Rodriguez are unavailable.

Predicts Barcelona XI (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Araujo, Koundé, Christensen, Baldé; Gavi, Busquets, De Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Torres.

Predicted Real Madrid XI (4-3-3): Courteous; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.