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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
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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