El clasico! (Real Madrid vs Barcelona )

Los Merengues have fallen well off the pace set by their arch-rivals. Zinedine Zidane's men are in fourth position in the standings and already 11 points behind the league leaders.

However, they have hit some good form in their last few games, beating Borussia Dortmund 3-2 and Sevilla 5-0, before wins over Al-Jazira and Gremio in the Fifa Club World Cup.

There was a concern leading up to El Clasico regarding the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo, after he picked up a calf injury against Gremio, but Zidane has confirmed his star man will be ready.

"He is fine, he's 100%. He has trained today and that's what interests me. I'm not going to get sidetracked into other things," he told his pre-match press conference.

"The only important thing is the game and that’s all Cristiano has to think about on Saturday. What Cristiano has done and doing at this club, he deserves all the respect he gets."

Meanwhile, the Catalans remain unbeaten in La Liga this season after 16 games. They have won six of their last eight league fixtures and come into the Real Madrid clash having thrashed Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 on Sunday.

Barca have opened up a big lead over Real, but are still under some pressure from Atletico Madrid and Valencia. Atletico are six points adrift, while Valencia are two points further back.

Some have suggested that a victory for Barcelona in Madrid would kill the title chase, but Blaugrana boss Ernesto Valverde begs to differ.

"I don't think a Clasico victory will give us the title,” said Valverde, according to the Express. "Atletico are only six points behind. No one wins the league at this stage.

“El Clasico will be a match against an enormous rival. What we know is that this is a long competition, nobody will decide anything at this point. We will prepare for it well.”

Real have no fresh injury concerns and should have a full-strength squad from which to pick their starting XI.

Barcelona have recently lost striker Paco Alcacer and winger Gerard Deulofeu to injuries, and they remain sidelined for the clash on Saturday.