Barcelona team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Real Madrid

Xavi's side are currently top of the division, nine points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, meaning that a win in El Clasico would open up a 12-point advantage at the summit.

Barcelona were 1-0 winners over Athletic Bilbao last weekend, with Raphinha netting the only goal of the contest in the latter stages of the first period.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Barcelona's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Real Madrid, who were in Champions League action against Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Ousmane Dembele

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Ousmane Dembele suffered a hamstring injury during Barcelona's clash with Girona on January 28; the France international has made excellent progress in his recovery and had initially been pencilled in for a return here, but the fixture will just come too soon for the France international.

Pedri

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: March 19 (vs. Real Madrid)

Pedri picked up a hamstring injury against Manchester United in the Europa League at Camp Nou last month, which has kept him out of the team's last six matches, but the Spaniard has a slight chance of making his return in El Clasico.

BARCELONA'S SUSPENSION LIST

Barcelona have no players suspended for this match, and Xavi's side will welcome back Ronald Araujo, who was banned for the clash with Athletic last weekend.