Real Madrid looking to equal best-ever away winning run against Barcelona

One of the biggest fixtures in world football will take place this weekend, with La Liga leaders Barcelona welcoming second-placed Real Madrid for a key fixture.

Barcelona are currently nine points clear of the reigning champions at the top of the division, strengthening the need for Carlo Ancelotti's side to pick up a strong result.

Real Madrid have been victorious on their last two league visits to Camp Nou, and only once before have they managed to record three straight away victories over their bitter rivals in La Liga, which occurred between January 1963 and February 1965.

Los Blancos ran out 3-1 winners in the league earlier this season, but the two teams have met twice since then, with Barcelona beating Carlo Ancelotti's team in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in the middle of January, and the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at Bernabeu on March 2.

Barcelona won 4-0 at Bernabeu in the league last season, but the Catalan outfit have lost five of their last six league games against Real Madrid.

Los Blancos were 2-1 winners at Camp Nou in the league last season, while they recorded a 3-1 victory when the two teams locked horns at the home of Barcelona in October 2020.

Incredibly, Barcelona have not managed to overcome Real Madrid at home in the league since October 2018, with the majority of their best recent work against Los Blancos coming at Bernabeu.

Xavi's side are unbeaten at home in the league this season, though, recording 10 wins in the process.

Barcelona have also conceded the fewest goals (eight) after 25 matches of a La Liga campaign in the history of the division, with the team keeping 19 clean sheets in the process.

Both managers named their squads for the match on Saturday, with Real Madrid missing two players.

David Alaba has not recovered from a hamstring problem in time for the match, but Karim Benzema has proved his fitness after suffering a knock against Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Alvaro Rodriguez is missing for Los Blancos alongside Alaba, with the teenager suspended, having accumulated five yellow cards.

Barcelona, meanwhile, had been expected to welcome Pedri back into their squad, but the midfielder suffered a setback during a training session on Friday.

The Spaniard has therefore been left out of the squad alongside Ousmane Dembele, but Ronald Araujo is back after missing the 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao last weekend through suspension.