Barcelona will be looking to extend their already big gap at the top of La Liga this afternoon when they face Real.
Zinedine Zidane’s side have endured a torrid time in the league this season and find themselves 11 points adrift of their arch-rivals heading into the game, although they do have a game in hand.
Barcelona are yet to lose in the Spanish top flight this season, dropping just six points through 16 matches.
But if Real hope to retain their La Liga title then they must clinch all three points.
Los Blancos have failed to beat Barcelona in their last two league meetings at home in the league.
However, despite Barcelona’s superior form going into the match, Messi still has some concerns.
That’s according to Diario Gol, who claim the Argentina international believes Paulinho will prove pivotal to whether Barcelona are able to go home with a positive result.
There is also some trepidation about Real’s supposed superior attacking options.
With Ousmane Dembele still out injured, Barcelona have had to rely on Messi and Luis Suarez for the goals.
But while Real haven’t got anyone in the league who has scored more than five goals this season, they do boast an arrange of attacking options in Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio and Isco who can all contribute.