La Liga:  Barcelona vs Real Madrid today

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Barcelona is all set to take on Real Madrid with returning Lionel Messi, who has been sideline due to injury since September.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique will decide an hour before the game if 28-year old Argentine forward Lionel Messi will start against rival on Saturday.

Messi has been out with a knee injury since 26 September but returned to training this week.

Real, who will overtake Barca at the top of La Liga if they win, have a fully-fit squad.

Real striker Karim Benzema, who is under formal investigation in connection with a sex tape blackmail plot but maintains his innocence, has missed the last six games through injury.

“Benzema is in the squad, he trained well and is part of the group,” Real manager Rafael Benitez said. “We still have to decide whether he starts or not.”

The main talking point over Saturday’s line-ups is whether Messi will start for Barcelona.

In the eight La Liga and Champions League games he has missed, Neymar has scored 10 goals and Luis Suarez has netted eight.

Real’s star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, has scored 13 goals in 15 club games this season, although he has failed to score in nine of those.

Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez are both in contention, having returned in their previous game against Sevilla following injuries.

Benitez also confirmed the fitness of captain Sergio Ramos and goalkeeper Keylor Navas.