Real Madrid vs Barcelona LIVE: El Clasico result and reaction from La Liga tonight

Tonight’s Clasico sees Real Madrid host Barcelona in a pivotal match in the race for the title with Atletico Madrid still top

(AFP)

Real Madrid host Barcelona in a tantalising Clasico that will have a major impact on who lifts the title in La Liga this season.

Atletico Madrid are still out in front, but the gap is now one point to Lionel Messi’s side, with Los Blancos just two points further back.

Zinedine Zidane’s side enter the contest on a high after pulling off an emphatic victory over Liverpool to take control of their Champions League quarter-final.

One of the keys to the game will be Messi’s impact after six straight blanks in the Clasico since Cristiano Ronaldo departed for Juventus, but Ronald Koeman is confident the Argentine can snap that streak to inspire the Blaugrana: “I hope that Messi can prove decisive because we need him to play at his best and for Barca to also show its best version. For our attack, our passing game, and to create scoring chances, we need Leo.”

While Karim Benzema, who has 18 La Liga goals, five less than Messi (23), believes Real’s pressing will be key to the game’s outcome: “When we press, we have to go all out. And when we have the ball, we have to develop good possessions, because they don’t like chasing the ball.”

Read more:

• Real Madrid vs Barcelona live stream: How to watch El Clasico online and on TV tonight
• Imperious Toni Kroos outclasses Liverpool in game of yards, rather than inches
• Beware Real Madrid in the Champions League

Real Madrid vs Barcelona

• El Clasico scheduled to kick off at 20:00 BST

[10 April 2021 15:25 · Jack Rathborn]

[10 April 2021 15:24 · Jack Rathborn]

[10 April 2021 15:23 · Jack Rathborn]

[10 April 2021 15:22 · Jack Rathborn]

Real Madrid vs Barcelona prediction

While Barcelona’s recent form has been impressive, Real Madrid remain the team for the big occasion and find a way to win at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona

[10 April 2021 15:22 · Jack Rathborn]

Real Madrid vs Barcelona odds

Real Madrid: 9/5

Draw: 14/5

Barcelona: 13/10

[10 April 2021 15:22 · Jack Rathborn]

Real Madrid vs Barcelona predicted line-ups

Real Madrid: Courtois, Vasquez, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Asensio, Benzema, Vasquez

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Dest, Lenglet, Mingueza, Alba, De Jong, Busquets, Pedri, Dembele, Griezmann, Messi

[10 April 2021 15:21 · Jack Rathborn]

Real Madrid vs Barcelona team news

Real Madrid are without captain Sergio Ramos due to injury and Raphael Varane following the Frenchman’s positive Covid-19 test. Eder Militao and Nacho started and impressed in Madrid’s 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday and the makeshift centre back pair will be expected to start El Clasico. Dani Carvajal and Eden Hazard also remain unavailable for the hosts.

Barcelona also have fitness problems in defence and are expected to be without Gerard Pique. Oscar Mingueza is set to continue to deputise for the Spaniard alongside Clement Lenglet. Ansu Fati remains out for the visitors while Philippe Coutinho is out for the season.