'El Clasico' - Barcelona v Real Madrid: Preview and possible line-ups
TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
Jasper Cillessen remains unavailable for Barca with a muscular injury, meaning Marc-Andre ter Stegen will replace him between the posts - this will be his first Copa del Rey match this season.
While there is concern over Messi's fitness after some thigh discomfort against Valencia, Rafinha and Samuel Umtiti are confirmed as unavailable for this match. There are also doubts surrounding Ousmane Dembele's potential presence on the field since he has been suffering with tonsillitis, having recently recovered from an ankle issue.
Clement Lenglet is expected to get the nod over Thomas Vermaelen, while we should see Jordi Alba and Arthur return to the team. Sergio Busquets will also return to the starting line-up having missed the Valencia game through suspension.
Real Madrid
Solari's squad has been depleted with numerous injuries recently, however with a number of players returning to fitness this week, he should have more a choice regarding his starting line-up for this clash.
Carvajal and Varane missed the Alaves match through suspension but are expected to feature for this huge encounter. It is possible that Marcelo may be favoured over Sergio Reguilon in the left-back position. Toni Kroos will come back into midfield and will pair up with Luka Modric. Solari will be choosing between Llorente and Casemiro for the holding midfield role.
Lucas Vasquez looks set to rejoin the starting XI, alongside Karim Benzema who has 18 goals for the season to his name. Benzema has found the net four times in four Copa del Rey matches this season and will, of course, be a considerable threat to Barcelona. The other attacking spot will be up for grabs for Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio, although it seems likely that Vinicius Junior will be starting for Real Madrid down the left.
MANAGERS' THOUGHTS
Ernesto Valverde
"It's an open tie, we have great players and they do too, some of the best in the world"
"It's a special game. It's a semi-final and playing against Madrid is another incentive to reach the final"
Santiago Solari
"We hope that it's going to be a very attractive game - it is El Clasico - and that everybody enjoys themselves."
"We want to put it a good performance as we have done in recent weeks and win."
FORM GUIDE
DID YOU KNOW?
These two rivals have only met once this season prior to this match which saw Barcelona beat Real Madrid 5-1 in a league win back in October.
Historically, Barcelona come out on top in the El Clasico meetings, but Madrid have a recent Camp Nou victory under their belt, recording a 2-1 success in April 2016.
Wednesday's clash will be the 239th competitive match between these two Spanish clubs. Madrid lead the head-to-head 95 to Barcelona's 93. The remaining 50 games finished in a draw.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Arthur, Rakitic, Busquets; Coutinho, L Suarez, Messi
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Lucas, Benzema, Vinicius