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Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews the Spanish Super Cup first leg between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Nou Camp.

The first El Clasico of the new season pits Barcelona against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup at the Nou Camp.

The Catalans began their La Liga campaign with a morale-boosting 5-1 win over Real Sociedad at the weekend, which also saw the return of Spain's all-time leading goalscorer David Villa.

It wasn't the greatest of starts for the defending champions Madrid, however, as they were held 1-1 at the Bernabeu by a stern Valencia outfit.

It was Barcelona who secured a 5-4 aggregate win in the same competition last year, but after Madrid's title success last season they will enter the match full of confidence.

Barcelona have lost just one of their last eight meetings with Madrid, however, and will be considered as favourites to secure a first-leg lead.

Barcelona will be without Thiago for the encounter, while Isaac Cuenca and Eric Abidal remain long-term absentees.

It is also unlikely that Villa will start having returned from a long injury lay-off last time around. However, new signing Alex Song is expected to be handed a start in midfield.

Real Madrid have an almost fully-fit squad to choose from, although they will be without Portuguese defender Pepe who sustained a head injury at the weekend.

Possible lineups:

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Song; Iniesta, Messi, Sanchez

Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos, Marcelo; Alonso, Diarra, Khedira; Ozil, Ronaldo, Higuain

Sports Mole says: 2-1

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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