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5 reasons why Barcelona will win El Clasico

By Harry De Cosemo

Barcelona's players celebrate their 24th La Liga title at the end of the Spanish league football match Granada CF vs FC Barcelona at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada on May 14, 2016.Barcelona sealed their 24th La Liga title as Luis Suarez took his tally for the season to 59 goals with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win at Granada to hold off Real Madrid's late-season surge. / AFP / CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images)
Barcelona's players celebrate their 24th La Liga title at the end of the Spanish league football match Granada CF vs FC Barcelona at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada on May 14, 2016.Barcelona sealed their 24th La Liga title as Luis Suarez took his tally for the season to 59 goals with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win at Granada to hold off Real Madrid's late-season surge. / AFP / CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images) /
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2016.11.02 WarszawaPilka nozna Liga Mistrzow sezon 2016/2017Legia Warszawa – Real Madryt
2016.11.02 WarszawaPilka nozna Liga Mistrzow sezon 2016/2017Legia Warszawa – Real Madryt /

5. Gareth Bale’s absence

Similarly to Iniesta, the Welshman’s involvement in this fixture can turn it on its head. Barcelona will be celebrating the fact Bale will miss this game having been ruled out for a number of months with a serious ankle problem.

Having not played together nearly as much in recent times, it would be unfair to say Real are as dependent on their strike force (Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo) as Barcelona are on theirs, but breaking them up still leaves Zidane with a selection headache.

Memories of Bale leaving Marc Bartra for dead and scoring the winning goal in the 2014 Copa Del Rey final are still fresh in the minds of both sets of fans, but the good news for the Blaugrana is that his impact on the side is even greater now.

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With Ronaldo ageing, he has had to reinvent his game somewhat. The Portuguese star’s ability to dazzle opponents and win a game on his own is wavering, meaning when he is fit, Bale takes that mantle more or less.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man is unlikely to bring out a step over, but the sheer power of his developing physique means he can be unstoppable. A more accurate example of Bale’s current abilities is last year’s victory at the Camp Nou.

Barça will be relieved they don’t have to formulate a plan for him this time.

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