Barcelona host Real Madrid at the Nou Camp tonight with only goal difference separating the two sides at the top of La Liga.
The fixture takes place 52 days after it was originally scheduled due to the political unrest and clashes between protestors and police over Catalan independence earlier this year.
Both sides slipped up in their previous outings, with Madrid held by Valencia and Barca by Real Sociedad respectively.
However, they are still four points clear of Sevilla with a game in hand, meaning the winner should become favourite in the title race as we approach the midway stage of the season.
Here is everything you need to know:
1/12 Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI
Who makes it into our combined XI of Barcelona and Real Madrid players?
EPA
2/12 Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Barcelona)
The German has made a number of fabulous saves during the course of season, most notably against Sevilla in October, and with Jasper Cillessen out injured, Barca will need their no.1 to carry his fine La Liga form into his first Copa del Rey appearance of the season
EPA
3/12 Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
The 27-year-old has become one of Madrid’s most consistent performers in recent years, and with the inconsistent Sergio Roberto and Nelson Semedo his challengers from Barcelona, Carvajal gets the nod here ahead of the inexperienced Alvaro Odriozola
Getty Images
4/12 Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
Pique has proved to be a solid rock for the Catalan giants in a season which has seen Ernesto Valverde forced into making a number of changes at the back through injuries and suspensions. The 32-year-old’s consistency sees him beat off competition from Raphael Varane
EPA
5/12 Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
His leadership qualities have been credited as a reason for Madrid’s upsurge since the sacking of Julen Lopetegui, but there has been no let-up in his sturdiness at the back. Scoring a joint season best 10 goals so far this season, Ramos is a must in any side
EPA
6/12 Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
The left-back’s excellent partnership with Lionel Messi makes him the undisputed left-back. Real Madrid’s Marcelo has had a turbulent season so far under both Lopetegui and Santiago Solari and that makes for easy pickings in the left-back role
AFP/Getty Images
7/12 Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
While Busquets’ teammate Arthur has certainly put in some impressive shifts this season, the 30-year-old’s experience and calmness in midfield have seen him become an established figure in the Barcelona midfield over the years
EPA
8/12 Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner and captain of World Cup finalists Croatia, the 33-year-old still continues to produce magic in the Madrid midfield and alongside Ramos offered stability during Madrid’s difficult start to the season
AP
9/12 Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)
Modric is joined by his Croatian compatriot Rakitic in the midfield after yet another impressive season for the Catalan giants. The 30-year-old’s has been virtually ever-present in the midfield this season and adds a bit more flair than the dogged Casemiro
AFP/Getty Images
10/12 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
I mean, obviously. Next
Getty Images
11/12 Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
The Uruguayan international led the side brilliantly in the absence of Lionel Messi earlier in the season and his goals already demonstrate just a hint of what the striker has brought in terms of work rate and leadership to the Barcelona frontline this season
AFP/Getty Images
12/12 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Despite teammate Vinicius Junior’s recent impressive performances, Benzema has led the line expertly since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer. With form in the Copa del Rey so far, he will look to provide a goal threat once again at the Camp Nou
EPA
1/12 Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI
Who makes it into our combined XI of Barcelona and Real Madrid players?
EPA
2/12 Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Barcelona)
The German has made a number of fabulous saves during the course of season, most notably against Sevilla in October, and with Jasper Cillessen out injured, Barca will need their no.1 to carry his fine La Liga form into his first Copa del Rey appearance of the season
EPA
3/12 Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
The 27-year-old has become one of Madrid’s most consistent performers in recent years, and with the inconsistent Sergio Roberto and Nelson Semedo his challengers from Barcelona, Carvajal gets the nod here ahead of the inexperienced Alvaro Odriozola
Getty Images
4/12 Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
Pique has proved to be a solid rock for the Catalan giants in a season which has seen Ernesto Valverde forced into making a number of changes at the back through injuries and suspensions. The 32-year-old’s consistency sees him beat off competition from Raphael Varane
EPA
5/12 Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
His leadership qualities have been credited as a reason for Madrid’s upsurge since the sacking of Julen Lopetegui, but there has been no let-up in his sturdiness at the back. Scoring a joint season best 10 goals so far this season, Ramos is a must in any side
EPA
6/12 Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
The left-back’s excellent partnership with Lionel Messi makes him the undisputed left-back. Real Madrid’s Marcelo has had a turbulent season so far under both Lopetegui and Santiago Solari and that makes for easy pickings in the left-back role
AFP/Getty Images
7/12 Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
While Busquets’ teammate Arthur has certainly put in some impressive shifts this season, the 30-year-old’s experience and calmness in midfield have seen him become an established figure in the Barcelona midfield over the years
EPA
8/12 Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner and captain of World Cup finalists Croatia, the 33-year-old still continues to produce magic in the Madrid midfield and alongside Ramos offered stability during Madrid’s difficult start to the season
AP
9/12 Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)
Modric is joined by his Croatian compatriot Rakitic in the midfield after yet another impressive season for the Catalan giants. The 30-year-old’s has been virtually ever-present in the midfield this season and adds a bit more flair than the dogged Casemiro
AFP/Getty Images
10/12 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
I mean, obviously. Next
Getty Images
11/12 Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
The Uruguayan international led the side brilliantly in the absence of Lionel Messi earlier in the season and his goals already demonstrate just a hint of what the striker has brought in terms of work rate and leadership to the Barcelona frontline this season
AFP/Getty Images
12/12 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Despite teammate Vinicius Junior’s recent impressive performances, Benzema has led the line expertly since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer. With form in the Copa del Rey so far, he will look to provide a goal threat once again at the Camp Nou
EPA
When is it?
The match kicks off at 7pm on Wednesday 18 December.
How can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast live on Premier Sports, with coverage beginning at 7pm.
Team news
Barcelona: Ousmane Dembele remains absent for Barcelona, while Arthur is also struggling with injury after snowboarding sessions slowed his recovery. Nelson Semedo is available after returning from injury last weekend,
Real Madrid: Eden Hazard will miss the fixture with a foot injury, while Marcelo, James Rodriguez, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez have also all been ruled out.
Ferland Mendy can come back into the side after returning from suspension. Casemiro is expected to return to the starting line-up after being rested last weekend, while both Vinicius and Gareth Bale are pushing for a place in the eleven.
Predicted line-ups
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, De Jong; Messi, Suarez, Griezmann
Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius
Odds
Barcelona – 4/5
Draw – 3/1
Real Madrid – 3/1
