Barcelona vs Real Madrid 2018-19: What time does El Clasico kick-off, what TV channel is it on and how to watch in UK
What is it?
It's the 238th edition of El Clasico, Spanish football's biggest rivalry, as Barcelona take on Real Madrid for the first time this season.
When is it?
It takes place on Sunday October 28.
What time is kick-off?
Kick off will be at 3.15pm.
This will be the first Clasico since 2007 to not feature Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Read about the teams from that game here
What TV channel is it on?
The times, they are a-changing. This time, El Clasico will only be available to UK viewers via the online-only broadcaster Eleven Sports.
Alternatively you can follow our liveblog. Bookmark this page and return later.
What is the team news?
The headline news ahead of this one, of course, is that Lionel Messi misses out after fracturing his arm against Sevilla last weekend. That means this will be the first Clasico in more than a decade to feature neither he nor Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Madrid for Juventus in the summer.
Valverde has some problems in defence, too: Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet are the only available senior centre-backs in Barcelona's squad.
Meanwhile, for Real Madrid, Marcelo should be fit to start despite an injury scare in midweek against Viktoria Plzen while, on the other flank, Nacho is expected to deputise for Dani Carvajal. Isco looks likely to get the nod over Marco Asensio on the left side of attack
What are they saying?
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde
"Madrid can be even more dangerous. They will come out here to face us and although they come in crisis will want to demonstrate their strength, which they have because they have great players.
"We must forget about today... I do not trust these situations."
(•_•)
<) )╯@LaLiga: Leaders
/ \
\(•_•)
( (> @ChampionsLeague: Leaders
/ \
(•_•)
<) )> Next challenge: #ElClásico
/ \— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 24, 2018
Real Madrid's Julen Lopetegui
"We've got a very special game that we're really excited about on Sunday and we'll prepare for it in the best possible fashion. Marcelo took a really heavy knock, but it doesn't look like it's a muscular issue and we hope that he can be involved".
What are the odds?
Barcelona 10/11
Real Madrid 11/4
Draw 11/4
What's our prediction?
The absence of Lionel Messi makes this one harder to call than it might have been, given Real Madrid's recent run of poor form. Valverde's side have the momentum, though. Barcelona to win 2-1.
