FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: La Liga Clasico Match Preview

More importantly, three points hang in the balance as Barcelona aim to not only further the gap over their eternal rivals, but keep other challengers such as Sevilla, Valencia and Atletico Madrid at bay.

For Real Madrid, it's a chance to avoid sinking after a fabulous string of results. The capital club could drop as low as sixth without winning, though, with the right results, could climb to second.

There are subplots aplenty for this match - as if any were needed...

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BARCELONA

Signed from Liverpool, Suarez's quality is undeniable. He won the Golden Boot, shared with Cristiano Ronaldo, although Suarez had better numbers when it came to statistics such as assists and non-penalty goals.

The question is how fit the Uruguayan is after such a long spell on the sidelines. Coach Luis Enrique has already said Suarez will play, but did not reveal how much. If the #9 is not ready, Pedro Rodriguez could play... but he's terribly off form and played the full 90 against Ajax. Could we see youngsters Sandro Ramirez or Munir El-Haddadi start?

Lionel Messi could break one of the Liga's longstanding records. He has 249 career goals in the league, just one shy of Telmo Zarra's mark. Its entirely concievable for Messi to match the mark, or even break it, at the Santiago Bernabeu. There is tons of debate as to whether Madrid would allow a celebration of his exploits. And some in the Madrid press are already double-counting Zarra's mark, saying maybe he got more than 251 all along.

Barcelona will probably be without the services of their star player backup right-back Douglas, due to injury. Another doubt is Thomas Vermaelen, a signing from Arsenal in the offseason who has yet to play a single minute because of problems that seemingly never heal. Hypothetically he could be fit for this match, but there's essentially no way he'd play even in that situation.

Speaking of injuries, Adriano. Yes, the Brazilian fullback is still made of glass and won't play. The only really big miss could be Sergio Busquets. The midfielder is in doubt, which is a real shame as he is possibly the world's best in his position. Will Luis Enrique go for Javier Mascherano in that spot instead? Well, maybe not - so far he's insisted Busquets is ready to play.

Xavi didn't play against Ajax, leading some to ask whether he was being rested for the main event. He may play a part, but my money is on Ivan Rakitic to start along Andres Iniesta in midfield.

The Blaugrana have yet to concede a goal in league play as a defense bolstered with the acquisition of Jeremy Mathieu in the past window has stood strong, and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has plugged any leaks expertly. Mathieu could play at left-back, with either Marc Bartra or Mascherano in defense, or he could play at centerback, with Jordi Alba on the left.

On the other side of the pitch, Messi has been consistently amazing this season. He's put in tackles, given assists with regularity, and still scored a load of goals. His association with Neymar is in high gear. The amount of Barcelona goals this season the pair haven't had a direct part in can be counted on one hand. If Suarez can be added to the mix...

REAL MADRID