Today!! El-Clasico in Santigo Bernabau

Today marks the moment the world of football has been waiting for in the 2024/2025 league season. The Archrivals in spanish LaLiga and European football meets for a classic clash in the capital of Spain, Madrid. 

The Galacticos will welcome the Catalans to Santiago Bernabeu this evening at 9pm local time (8pm BST, 3pm ET). 

The results of the game will have effect on each team on the league table as Madrid can level on points with Barcelona at the top of the table with a win (giving them the advantage, as LaLiga is decided on head-to-head results). 

On the other hand, Barcelona could extend their lead to six points with a victory over Real Madrid. Nevertheless, time and chance will decide the fate of the rivals after 90 minutes. 

Both rivals are coming from the Champions League wins against the Germans. Real Madrid beating Borussia Dortmond 5-2 and Barca belittling Bayern Munich in 4-1 win.

The midweek victory gives both sides confidence ahead of the Clasico. 

Majority of the work in this game will be on the shoulders of the two managers, Carlos Anceloti and Hansi Flick. 

Although Madrid is three points behind Barcelona, Anceloti team is yet to be defeated in their LaLiga campaign. With 13 matches, they've won 10 and draw 3. 

Hansi Flick taking over the job from Xavi have had an impressive team among Barca squard who have quickly bought into his tactics. Apart from the lost to Osasuna, the team has won all its league games giving them much bravery ahead of the big game. 

The game is also going to be Kylian Mbappe first El-Clasico since the frenchman joined the Galacticos. Mbappe has had a mixed start to his Real Madrid career, scoring eight goals and providing two assists in 13 games, yet Madrid fans will demand a lot from him tonight as he has been fantastic in breaking through the defence of Barcelona when he was in PSG. 

Ancelotti's possible starting IX ahead of the game will include, 

Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin

Defenders: Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and Lucas Vazquez

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurlien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde

Attackers: Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe

For Barcelona, Hansi Flick is likely to start the match with, 

Goalkeeper: Inaki Pena

Defenders: Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde

Midfielders: Fermin Lopes, Marc Casado and Pedri

Attackers: Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal 

Both rivals have their first goalkeepers missing the Clasico because of injuries. Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid and Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen are missing the 2024/2025 first El-Clasico. 

Players expected to pull results for Real Madrid tonight are Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, who have not been defeated by Barca and Ballon d'Or favourite Vinicius Junior whilst Barcelona new attacking trio, sensational Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski and Raphinha, who have gain new confidence upon arrival of Flick, are expected to put Barca ahead of the game.