The Clasico is once again upon us as Real Madrid prepare to host Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
The capital club lies second in the La Liga table, three points adrift of the Catalans, ensuring Madridistas will be pushing their side on to climb level with their fierce rivals atop the table. Here are some league stats to keep in mind ahead of another edition of world football's greatest rivalry.
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Similar scoring
The scoring output of the clubs is nearly identical through 11 games played, but Neymar leads scorers among both teams, which illustrates Lionel Messi's injury absence and Cristiano Ronaldo's fight for form this term.
Ronaldo the creator
Without maestro Messi, Barcelona have relied on the individual talents of Neymar and Luis Suarez; Ronaldo has compensated for his dip in goal production by leading Madrid in assists.
Barcelona play more to feet
While the clubs' cross-completion percentage is
separated by just two percentage points, Real Madrid have attempted 98 more crosses than the Catalan club.
Xavi loss felt in midfield
The departure of Xavi's metronomic presence in midfield has left a hole in the center of the Barcelona park, and the club's passing-completion percentage trails that of Madrid's.
Barcelona struggling from the spot
Barcelona have scored five penalties to Madrid's three, but the La Liga champions have also missed three spot kicks this season -- two of which came off Messi's foot.
Keylor is key for Madrid
After being thrust into the spotlight following the collapsed transfer of David De Gea on deadline day, Keylor Navas has emerged as one of Madrid's most important players this term.
Barcelona control the ball
Considering Barca's style of play, it should be little surprise that their number of touches in both attacking and defensive penalty areas eclipses the number achieved by a more direct Madrid.
Barca's precise shooting
Barcelona generate more attacking touches than Real Madrid, but the Catalans are far more judicious with their shot selection, attempting 32 fewer shots while finding the net with three percent more accuracy than Los Blancos.
Catalan ambition
While Barcelona have been more selective with their shooting than Real Madrid, Luis Enrique's men have been braver from distance, shooting from outside the area at nearly double the rate of the capital club.
Tiki Taka lives in Barcelona
Possession football is alive and well at Luis Enrique's Barca, as the Catalans enjoy a 6.6 percent ball-retention advantage over their great rivals.
Injury crises at Spain's giants
Real Madrid have suffered 13 injuries in this young season, while Barcelona have lost 14 first teamers this term, leaving both clubs to utilise threadbare squads.
Madrid depth proving valuable
Despite their injury troubles, Madrid have still been able to call on 31 substitutes in 2015-16, six more changes than Barcelona have made, further illustrating Barcelona's injury crisis and the impact of losing several academy graduates.
source:
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