(Football news) A big gameweek is coming in the La Liga as it is the El Clasico that headlines the week. It is after a long time that both the teams come into the mega contest after a string of good results. Barcelona are 15 points behind Real Madrid with a game in hand so the best thing that the Blaugrana could achieve is to close the gap as winning the title doesn't look all that practical.
Real Madrid have won their last 5 games while Barcelona have won 8 of their last 11 games and drawn the other 3. The two sides are in very good form which will make it a very exciting clasico. Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, Umtiti, Alex Balde and Ezzalzouli are still injured while Nico Gonzalez is suspended. The availability of Gerrard Pique and Sergino Dest is doubtful after both of them picked up injuries in the UEL match against Galatasaray on Thursday.
Real Madrid on the other hand suffered 3 injuries in their last La Liga game against Mallorca as Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema all injured themselves. Rodrygo is expected to be fit while Ferland Mendy is definitely out of the game. Benzema on the other hand will try to rush to fitness like he has done a few times this season. If the Frenchman does miss the game then Carlo Ancelotti could go with Luka Jovic or Mariano Diaz up front. Gareth Bale or Marco Asensio can be used as a false 9 as well.
After their emphatic win over Manchester United in the UCL, Atletico Madrid will travel away to Rayo Vallecano. Yannick Carrasco and Javier Serrano are suspended for the clash while Thomas Lemar, Matheus Cunha, Sime Vrsaljko and Daniel Wass are injured. A win would solidify Atleti's top four spot further. Diego Simeone may give a breather to a few players as the players put in a lot of work at Old Trafford.
