EL CLASICO PREVIEW Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Team News, Kick Off Time, Injuries and Potential Line-up

REAL MADRID will virtually be out of the La Liga title race if they lose to their arch rivals on Saturday.

A welcome win, followed by another in their game in over Barcelona, would close the gap to five points before the winter break to give Zinedine Zidane's team a fighting chance.

Real Madrid beat Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana but it's been far from plain sailing since

So the scene is set for an enthralling El Clasico as the team's clash in La Liga for the first time since April.

Since losing to Real in the Supercopa de Espana in the summer, Barca have roared ahead of their rivals.

So Cristiano Ronaldo really does need to get one over Lionel Messi...

                           Team news

Real president Florentino Perez is keen for Gareth Bale to play following his heroics at the Club World Cup.

And Cristiano Ronaldo wants Bale to play in place of Isco due to his on-going dispute with the Spain international.

For his part Diario Gol claim Isco is ready to throw a tantrum and will cause chaos in the dressing room if not picked from the start.

Injured Paco Alcacer will be missed by Barcelona having made vital contributions this season, notably scoring both goals in the 2-1 home win over Sevilla.

                   What time is kick-off?

Stand by for a 12 noon start at the Bernabeu on Saturday, December 23.

          What TV channel is Real Madrid vs.                 Barcelona on and can I live stream it?

The action unfurls live on Sky Sports Football/Sky Sports Mix/Sky 1.

Coverage begins half an hour before kick-off at 11.30am.

To stream the game live, you can buy a Sky Sports Day Pass from Now TV for £6.99.