Barca v Real Madrid: A Clasico waiting for someone to take control
Neither team is playing especially well as they meet at Camp Nou on Saturday afternoon
An empty Camp Nou welcomes the Clasico on Saturday in the strangest of times. One of the most early Clasicos and with neither side in good shape.
Some are even speculating that a big defeat for Madrid could see coach Zinedine Zidane sacked, although the proximity of their next match, on Tuesday in the Champions League against Monchengladbach, could stop that happening.
Ronald Koeman's Barcelona are three points behind Madrid in the table but have played a game less. Both lost last weekend, against Getafe and Cadiz.
Madrid are feeling worse, having then lost to Shakhtar Donetsk at home in the Champions League, while Barcelona thrashed Ferencvaros.
Sergio Ramos is back for Madrid, who will be looking to avoid a humiliation like the 5-1 they suffered with Julen Lopetegui at the helm in 2018.
Jordi Alba returns for Barcelona most likely, with a quick recovery from injury, just as he managed last season for the Clasico.
Koeman will likely use the 4-2-3-1 he's been working on since he arrived. Pjanic didn't do enough against Ferencvaros to show he demands a start, while Griezmann could return for his experience, even if Trincao looked lively.
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