Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Previewing the 231st edition of El Clasico

Football's most storied encounter reconvenes for the 231st competitive time at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday with a match never short on drama and intrigue.

Luis Enrique leads a table-topping Barcelona pitted against the Real Madrid side he left to join the Catalans in 1996, opposed by local man Rafa Benitez, who's prepared for the occasion by bossing sides to glory in Merseyside and Milan derbies.

Second in significance to only the fiercely-contested A49 Derby between Hereford United and Shrewsbury Town, El Clasico is an encounter rife with political undertones and littered with memorable moments worthy of the world's regard.

Steeped in history and marked by occasions like the standing ovation for Barca's Ronaldinho at the Bernabeu and a near-riot over Figo's 2002 return to the Nou Camp in a Real strip, El Clasico's magnitude transcends sport.

It's the Catalans versus the capital side, an encounter generalized by the desire for local autonomy against the side galvanized under Franco-nationalism. Spain's two biggest and most illustrious clubs with football's two pre-eminent stars and a cast of those fighting for space atop the same pedestal.

The Details

Time: 12:15 p.m. (ET)

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Television: beIN Sports, Sky Sports 2

Injuries and Suspensions

Lionel Messi's race for fitness is shrouded in perplexing understandings of the internal collateral ligament melanged with the pleas for his prompt return. The long-term benefits of further rest paired with the club's recent form under Neymar and Luis Suarez should encourage Luis Enrique to extend his star player's hiatus to an 10th match. Questions also surround midfield standout Ivan Rakitic, who left a November 4th Champions League fixture versus BATE Borisov with a calf ailment. The Croatian's brace against the Belarusians a fortnight earlier stands as the last goals scored for the Blaugrana by someone not named Suarez or Neymar.

Karim Benzema's return to training coupled with a full 90 from Gareth Bale and a 30-minute run-out and goal for substitute James Rodriguez against Sevilla is good news for Benitez. On top of that, Sergio Ramos, Isco, and Marcelo are all slated to return. More in Real's favour: Keylor Navas has been arguably Real's best player this year, and a muscle concern had his participation in question until Friday, when the club announced he'd be fit to start in net.

Projected Lineups

Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Danilo; Toni Kroos, Isco, Luka Modric, Casemiro; Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo

Barcelona: Claudio Bravo; Jordi Alba, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, Dani Alves: Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta; Munir El Haddadi, Luis Suarez, Neymar

3 Things to Watch

Will Messi play?

No way around this one. Messi's fitness is the biggest question surrounding Saturday's match. The tilt at the Bernabeu comes exactly eight weeks after his left-knee ligament tear against Las Palmas was assessed a recovery timetable of seven to eight weeks. Doubtful to start, the participation of El Clasico's leading scorer would spell trouble for Real players and supporters alike, with the palpable potential of substitute game-winning goal the stuff of legend fit for the pint-sized gadget-of-goals.

Will Real Madrid's defensive-minded successes extend to El Clasico?

Benitez's imprint on the club was an immediate one, as Los Blancos have become a stingy defensive instrument under the local-born gaffer in his first year at the helm. And while injuries to an attacking core have lowered the offensive output, Real's seven league goals against is second only to Atletico Madrid's six, and were it not for a 3-2 defeat to Sevilla before the international break, their defensive frugality would be a prodigious European standard.

The trio of goals conceded at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is a concern for Benitez, and questions remain whether a staunch defensive approach will be able to thwart the marauding pace and gusto of Neymar and Suarez.

The Managerial Chess Match

An abundance of last-minute fitness concerns notwithstanding, both Enrique and Benitez have some options with regards to formations and tactics. Should Benzema be fully fit for Saturday's encounter, Real could start a front three with the embattled Frenchman flanked by Bale and Ronaldo. If not, Ronaldo will re-assume the position he's held for the better part of the campaign, with Benitez opting for a 4-4-2 and handing a start to Isco and possibly a fit-again Rodriguez.

Despite the participation of Messi and Rakitic being in doubt, Luis Enrique is still likely to start three attacking players, giving 20-year-old hard-working forward Munir El Haddadi a chance to shine on the biggest stage.