The struggle at the top of the Spanish Football League may be more fierce this season than ever before. Classico, the two rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou tonight may be decisive in this direction, and the game is postponed from the tenth stage.
With the end of the 17th stage of the competition, Barca occupies the lead with a goal difference only against the Royal, and tonight's match - which is the first Clásico this season - may play a major role in shaping the competition for the title of this season.
The match was supposed to take place on October 26, but was postponed due to fears of the tense security situation in Catalonia, after prison sentences were issued against the backdrop of organizing an illegal referendum in 2017 on the independence of the region.
And tonight's competition is expected to witness fierce competition, as it comes at a time when the level of the two teams appears to be very close.
Real found in Uruguayan midfielder Fedidico Valverde the perfect support element for Brazil's Casemiro and German playmaker Toni Kroos.
Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic has recently returned to the starting line-up of the hosts, striking a balance in the midfield which is also witnessing the brilliance of newly joined Frankie de Young from Ajax.
Both teams are missing a key element in the attack, with Eden Hazard missing Real due to injury, and Othmane Dembele missing Barcelona. It is likely that the first absence from the stadiums will be longer than the last one.
Ernesto Valverde, the coach of the Catalan team, is expected to push French star Antoine Griezmann, alongside Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.
Making up for Hazard's absence will be a more difficult task for Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, who will have to choose Gareth Bale or Brazilian striker Rodrigo to play alongside Karim Benzema.
"It is a dream for me," Griezmann said before his first Clasico. "I followed this confrontation several times on TV."
His compatriot Benzema also lives in a brilliance with Real Madrid, and he said, "I want to win the league title, and I will be happy if I help my colleagues achieve this."
"Playing on the Camp Nou is always difficult ... This match is always the most important during the season and I hope we win it."
The two teams appeared to be ready for the El Clasico, during their matches early this week.
Merengue rested the basic midfielder Casemiro in the game that ended in a 1-1 draw with Valencia on Sunday.
Casimiro is subject to suspension upon receiving another warning, which prompted Zidane not to risk his involvement in front of the "Bats" to ensure his participation in the El Clasico, although Zidane stated before confronting Valencia by saying "If you think about confronting Barcelona instead of facing Valencia now, this will be a mistake."
On the other hand, the Catalan team played its match against Real Sociedad in its basic formation, but it drew 2-2, and Messi missed his usual level, but he played a prominent role in the second half. Barcelona and its fans are looking forward to the awakening of the Argentine star in today's match.