Real Madrid have won their last two games against Barcelona in all competitions, last winning three in row against them in 1978 (all three in LaLiga).

Andy West
Spanish football writer

Image source, EPA

Barca's renaissance has been built upon a renewal of energy and intensity courtesy of an exciting batch of young players, whose performances during their first campaign at senior level have far exceeded any reasonable expectations.

The jewel in the crown is Pedri, a physically slender but technically gifted playmaking midfielder who arrived from second tier Las Palmas for an initial fee of just €5m (£4.3m) last summer.

Pedri was viewed as the classic 'one for the future' when he signed, but his clever movement, smooth control and outstanding passing have seen him quickly become one of the first names on Ronald Koeman's teamsheet.

We will have to wait and see if this is Lionel Messi's final Clasico appearance - but he will equal Sergio Ramos for most appearances in El Clásico in all competitions (45).

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman: "The result won't be decisive, there's a lot more games to go and any side will have difficulties in winning all their remaining games.

"Having said that it will be a boost for the winners to push on."

Lionel Messi is the top scorer in El Clásico in all competitions (26) and in LaLiga (18), but he has failed to score in his last six games against Real Madrid, equalling his longest run without scoring against them in all competitions – six between April 2014 and December 2016.

Image source, EPA

Real coach Zinedine Zidane on Friday said that he hoped Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos won't have played their last Clasicos come the end of the season, with doubts over the futures of the Barcelona and Real Madrid captains.

Both players' contracts are up at the end of the campaign and Messi is yet to commit to a new deal with Barca after trying to force an exit last summer.

When asked if Saturday's clash in the Spanish capital would be the last of the pair's careers at Spain's top two clubs, Madrid coach Zidane said: "I hope not".

"Sergio is not going to play. It's sad, but I really hope that he will stay here," the Frenchman added of the injured 35-year-old.

Zidane also said he hoped Messi would remain at Barca for the good of Spanish football, joking "let him stay at Barcelona -- he's doing very well there!"

A phrase you don't hear very often on the commentary: 'Real Madrid's bench is rather threadbare.'

Real Madrid make just one change from the side which saw off Liverpool in midweek as Federico Valverde replaces Marco Asensio.

Image source, BBC Sport

Barcelona also make just one change as defender Ronald Araujo replaces Antoine Griezmann, who is on the bench.

The big one. The biggest one? Maybe not at the moment.

Both sides may not be quite as packed with global superstars as they have been but it's still a massive game.

Image source, BBC Sport

Barcelona looked well out of the title race in Spain after a poor start to the season but as you can see they are right back in it. It makes tonight's meeting of the two titans even better...