SPAIN'S big two collide for the first time this season on Saturday night and it promises to be an unmissable Clasico.
The world's greatest player is set for a return in football's biggest club game as Leo Messi is pencilled in for a Barcelona comeback although looks likely to start on the bench.
The pressure is on Real boss Rafa Benitez ahead of his first Clasico. He finds himself under fire from the fans with Los Blancos trailing Barca by three points at the top of La Liga and there are murmurs of unrest among the Galacticos.
Real – who lost 3-2 at Sevilla in their last outing – could have their BBC attacking trio back for the first time since September.
Karim Benzema has returned to training after more than a month out and may join Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in the starting line-up. Keeper Real keeper Keylor Navas returns from a two-week injury lay-off to make his Clasico debut.
Barca haven't done too shabbily in Messi's absence with Neymar netting eight goals in four La Liga games and Luis Suarez scoring six.
It looks a close match to call but I'm swaying towards Real whose need is greater. They remain unbeaten at home in all competitions this season – the only blip a 0-0 draw with Malaga – while Barca crashed 4-0 away to Athletic Bilbao in the Super Cup, 4-1 at Celta Viga and 2-1 at Sevilla in La Liga.
Benitez's men are 31-20 at Coral and BetVictor while marathonbet chalk them up 11-13 in the draw no bet market. Barca are 7-4 at BetVictor and the draw pays 11-4 at William Hill.
One thing that's been guaranteed whenever these teams meet in recent years is goals. Since the start of season 2011-12, there have been 17 El Clasicos in all competitions and all but one have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals.
In the past eight La Liga meetings, btts/over 2.5 goals has landed and same again in this clash pays 8-11 at bet365.
Real Madrid have scored over 1.5 goals in their last three home clashes with Barca and are 10-11 at Betfair to net two or more.
Ronaldo has scored in three of the last four meetings in all competitions and is 19-5 at Unibet to hit the opener and 21-20 at Boylesports to get on the scoresheet at any time.
Neymar is 7-5 at betfair for a goal any time and Benzema – who has scored in the last four Clasicos at the Bernabeu – is 9-5 at Paddy Power.
Scott's Clasico bets
Both teams to score/over 2.5 goals
(8-11, bet365)
Real Madrid draw no bet
(11-13, marathonbet)
Ronaldo to score first
(19-5, Unibet)
Neymar to score
(7-5, betfair)
Bonkers Bet – Real 2, Barca 1
(10-1, Unibet)
In December 2020 we sadly 
Real to win + O3.5 mgs 17/4 @ Betway
Actually i might be better doing 3-1 and 3-2 correct scores
I went for Madrid Win & BTTS on Admin’s La Liga Forum (threes) but like john smith above I’m now looking at correct score options.
2-1 @ 17/2
3-1 @ 16/1
3-2 @ 18/1
It’s a matter of affording three stakes on one game for me, though, and Sod’s Law it’ll finish 4-3
Yes, think I’ll stick to Madrid & both netting.
The game is live on Sky 1 for anyone who doesn’t have skysports
Either team to win 3-2 @ 21/2 bring it on lads
Neymar next goal scorer
Well done echo
On a pitch full of so called superstars Andres Iniesta is
head and shoulders above them all
a realyl special player
great set of tips there, lol