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Barcelona are the most successful team in the Copa del Rey, having lifted the trophy on 31 occasions and losing in the final another 11 times. They last won it two seasons ago, thrashing Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in the final.

Athletic are second on the list with 23 wins and 16 runners-up places, then comes Real Madrid, who have won the cup 19 times, but, surprisingly, not since 2014 when some Gareth Bale magic, where he scored a sensational individual goal after a run that began at the halfway line, helped them beat Barcelona 2-1 in the final.

Real have actually lost in the final more times than they have won it, with 19 victories compared to 20 losses.

The current holders are Real Betis, but they lost at home on penalties to Osasuna in the last 16.

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Some mind games earlier this week from Barcelona boss Xavi, who claimed Real Madrid were favourites to win tonight's game, despite Barca being seven points clear at the top of La Liga and having won 3-1 against Real in January.

"It’s a golden opportunity for us," says Xavi. "It’s an El Clasico, but it can be a title for us and for me Madrid are favourites. They are champions of La Liga and the Champions League.

"The Super Cup was an exception and they are in a good moment from the games against Liverpool and the draw against Athletico Madrid - for me they are favourites."

Two changes for Real Madrid tonight from the derby draw with Atletico at the weekend.

Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga both come in, with it likely Federico Valderde will push higher up as a result.

Dani Ceballos and Marco Asensio drop to the bench.

Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.

Subs: Lunin, Luis Lopez, Vallejo, Hazard, Asensio, Odriozola, Lucas, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Mariano, Alvaro.

There is no Robert Lewandowski tonight for Barcelona, out with a hamstring injury, while Ousmane Dembele and Pedri are also both out with injuries.

Xavi makes five changes from the defeat to Almeria at the weekend, most notably changing his entire back four.

Sergi Roberto, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia and Jordi Alba are all benched after that disappointing La Liga defeat.

Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Balde, Kounde, Araujo, Alonso; Kessie, Busquets, De Jong; Gavi, Ferran, Raphinha.

Subs: Fati, Pena, Christensen, Alba, Roberto, Eric Garcia, Torre, Tenas, Alarcon, Estanis.

Hello and welcome along to BBC Sport's coverage of the Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg tie between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

We have kick-off for this one at 20:00 GMT, but first up let's have a look at the sides picked by Carlo Ancelotti and Xavi.

There's always something special about an El Clasico match - and we have three of them to look forward to in the next five weeks.

First up is the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final with Real Madrid hosting Barcelona at the Bernabeu tonight.

Should be a great one.

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