Arguably the most enticing fixture across Europe this weekend will be the first "El Clasico" installment as Real Madrid host reigning champions Barcelona at the Bernabeu. A normally skill laden, high octane, passionate, contentious and politically charged fixture, it will surely be infused with an even more intense patina this weekend given the tragic events in Paris last week and the heightened security that will now be present across the continent. Spain's minister for Sport has adamantly stated that the game will go ahead but that extra security measures will be in place and visibly so.

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Real Madrid Vs. Barcelona

Rafael Benitez's team suffered their first defeat of the season before the international break, stumbling 3-2 to Sevilla and are now  sitting three points behind their Catalan rivals. Their loss to Sevilla was the team's first since losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the pre-season Audi Cup and although they conceded three goals versus Sevilla, Los Blancos still have one of the best defences in the league, conceding just seven times in 11 games so far this season, whilst managing to keep six clean sheets. It's not only at the back that Real continue to impress, as their offensive machine continue to accumulate goals with 26 already netted this season which includes eight from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona travel to Madrid as league leaders as a result of their 3-0 win over Villarreal in their last game and Luis Enrique's charges have now won their last four matches in La Liga. This current run of form helps to heal their losses to Sevilla and Celta Vigo and they carry a three point cushion with them to the Bernabeu. Barca's defensive foibles were glaring as the campaign began but have kept two successive clean sheets and despite missing Lionel Messi through injury for nearly two months, the Catalan side have shown clinical marksmanship in front of goal and have 25 goals in the bag so far this season. Luis Suarez and Neymar were expected to fill the void that Messi's injury would have created and they certainly haven't disappointed as they have  scored all 17 of the club's goals in the league in their last seven games. It appears that Messi will certainly travel with his colleagues but we would expect him to start on the bench and perhaps make a second half appearance.

The main injury concern for Madrid is likely to be Karim Benzema who continues to be hampered by a hamstring injury whilst Ramos, goalkeeper Navas and Bale are all expected to be fit enough to play. For the visitors, Sergio Busquets should make a much welcomed return, despite picking up a slight knock in Spain's win over England in their international friendly. It's a fixture that will garner world wide attention and is obviously a difficult one to predict. However, we think Barcelona's recent offensive dynamism and improving defensive demeanor will supersede a Real team that seems mired in transfer talk with their star player - Ronaldo -  not yet firing on all cylinders so far this year, at least by the standards we have come to expect from him. We expect a tentative start with both sides playing possession football through midfield and Real's more defensive mantra to absorb Barcelona's pin-ball footballing monopoly, but that can last only so long. It'll be a game that will inevitably be close, sometimes petulant, and ofttimes breathtaking. However, ultimately, we feel that the Catalans will be heading home the happier side on Saturday evening.

The Rest

Atletico Madrid will be hoping for a draw in El Classico as they remain four points behind the leaders and head to a beleaguered Real Betis team sitting in 11th spot being somewhat confident that they can loot all three points. Simeone's men have not exactly been smashing in the goals and although "Los Rojiblancos" remain unbeaten since a two-in-a-row loss at the end of September, their lack of goals has raised concerns. It's not as if Simeone is lacking options up front having Torres, Griezmann, Angel Correa, Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto, but finding the right combination and balance has thus far eluded Simeone. Atletico face a Real Betis team who have lost its past three games in the Benito Villamarin and we'd expect it to be four after this Sunday's clash.

Tumbling Villarreal, who were on top of La Liga just over a month ago, have lost three and drawn one of their last six matches and will host surprise package Eibar at the Estadio El Madrigal on Sunday. Eibar are currently on a two-game winning run and have lost only once in their last six matches and are only one point behind their hosts but we think that playing at home will help Villarreal stifle their slump and we'd expect them to earn a hard-fought win.

Ninth place Deportivo La Coruna who have lost just once in their last seven games in La Liga take on Celta Vigo in a local derby but Deportivo have failed to win any of their last five games. Deportivo don't necessarily have a good record against Celta, as they have won just one of their last seven La Liga games against them and Celta Vigo are the only team in the league who have not yet lost away from home. This should be an entertaining affair but we think a share of the spoils for each.

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