Real Madrid and Barcelona are both heading into arguably their most important game of the La Liga season, when they take on each other at Santiago Bernabeu.
The Spanish giants sit on the same number of points, although Xavi’s side are ahead on goal difference. One of them will be handed a major blow at the weekend though.
If Real Madrid win, then they will go three points clear at top and it would raise questions about Barcelona’s ability to beat top teams. They have already lost to Inter Milan and Bayern Munich this season.
On the other hand, if Barcelona win, or even manage to get a draw, then that could spell disaster for Real Madrid, because of the fact that the game is at Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid could very well have one of their most important players out injured on the day though. As reported by Marca, Thibaut Courtois still has not trained and his participation is greatly complicated. The Belgian superstar has evolved more slowly than expected from his sciatica and the chances that he could be between the posts against Barcelona this weekend are reduced exponentially as the match approaches.
If Courtois does not end up playing in the El Clasico, then that would be a blow for Real Madrid and an advantage to Barcelona.
The Belgian is arguably the best goalkeeper on the planet right now and he showed that in the Champions League final against Liverpool last season, keeping Jurgen Klopp’s side at bay.
In the scenario that Courtois does not end up making the game, Andriy Lunin would be expected to take his place between the posts, as he has done in the previous games. There are still a few days for the Belgian to get back to fitness though.