Real Madrid vs Barcelona, El Clasico 2017: Predicted lineups, team news and prediction

Crucial match for Real Madrid as they must cut Barcelona’s current lead in the table. Coach Zinedine Zidane has a healthy roster but has left players like Marcos Llorente or Dani Ceballos out of the team’s squad list.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are a bit shorthanded and they’ll play without Samuel Umtiti, Ousmane Dembele, Paco Alcacer or Gerard Deulofeu.

Real Madrid projected XI: Keylor Navas, Dani Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Isco, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema.

Barcelona projected XI: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Pique, Vermaelen, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Paulinho, Messi, Suarez.

Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio could come off the bench when needed and their presence might be crucial if Los Blancos need to turn things around. Bale might not be ready to start the game just yet but his speed could be devastating against a tired defensive line if Zidane decides to give him minutes by the end of the game.

HOW TO WATCH, STREAM EL CLASICO

Date: 12/23/2017

Time: 13:00 CET, 07:00am EST, 04:00 am Pacific.

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain.

Available TV: BeIN Sports (USA), Sky Sports Football (UK), Canal+ Partidazo (Spain).

Available Streaming: BeIN Sports (USA), Fubo.TV (EVERY Real Madrid game with a high-quality and legal stream).

Prediction: Real Madrid 2 (Ronaldo x2) - Barcelona 2 (Messi, Suarez)