Key battles that could decide El Clasico

Real Madrid host Barcelona on Sunday in a clash that could go a long way to deciding who wins LaLiga.

The previous meeting in December ended in a rare goalless draw, while Barca go into the game with a two-point lead at the top of the table.

Here, the PA news agency picks out four key battles that could settle El Clasico.

Thibaut Courtois v Marc Andre Ter-Stegen

Thibaut Courtois will look to keep out Barcelona again

Thibaut Courtois will look to keep out Barcelona again (Nick Potts/PA)

The goalkeepers responsible for the first goalless El Clasico in 17 years will face each other again. But neither go into the second league clash in top form. Courtois has not kept a clean sheet in his last four games, was beaten at his near post in last weekend’s defeat at Levante and could not keep out Gabriel Jesus’ header despite getting a hand to it in the Champions League loss to Manchester City in midweek. Ter-Stegen kept a clean sheet against Eibar last weekend but that was one of only two shutouts he has managed in the league in 2020. Whoever has the better game in goal this weekend could prove crucial.

Sergio Ramos v Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has a good record against Real Madrid

Lionel Messi has a good record against Real Madrid (Nick Potts/PA)

The veterans of dozens of Clasicos will do battle once again. Messi has scored 26 goals in 40 appearances against Real and has netted three times in his last three league trips to the Bernabeu. Defender Ramos has four goals and three red cards in his 45 El Clasico appearances. He was dismissed against City in midweek and will need to remain disciplined if Real are going to stop Messi and Co on Sunday.

Luka Modric v Frenkie De Jong

Modric is 14 months removed from winning the Ballon d’Or but the 34-year-old has struggled to reach those standards so far this season. Up against him this weekend is 22-year-old De Jong who is playing his first campaign for Barca. A year ago, De Jong starred against Modric in the Ajax team that ended Real’s Champions League dominance and was hailed as one of the future stars of the game. He has slotted in comfortably at the Nou Camp and Sunday gives him the opportunity to make his mark on the biggest of stages – and another chance at testing himself against Modric.

Karim Benzema v Gerard Pique

Karim Benzema will look to net another big goal

Karim Benzema will look to net another big goal (Peter Byrne/PA)

Benzema will line-up in El Clasico for the 37th time, but he has not scored in a league game against Barca since April 2016. He is scoreless in his last five games in all competitions and has managed just one league goal in 2020 – though that was the winner against city rivals Atletico Madrid on February 1. Real will hope the striker has another big goal in his locker. Looking to stop him will be Gerard Pique, providing the 33-year-old shakes off an ankle problem he suffered against Napoli in midweek. The defender’s last El Clasico league goal came in the same game as Benzema’s, but his main focus will be on stopping the Frenchman on Sunday.

FourFourTwo Staff

FourFourTwo was launched in 1994 on the back of a World Cup that England hadn’t even qualified for. It was an act of madness… but it somehow worked out. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the game’s biggest names, insightful analysis... and a bit of a giggle. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that.

Latest in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Latest in News
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger