Newly-appointed Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos could not have picked a tougher first league match if he tried.The world famous Real Madrid Vs Barcelona - dubbed 'El Clasico' - is enough to get the neutrals salivating and the fans of each club perspiring.
Ramos may be sweating more than most at the Nou Camp after hearing that Ruben de la Red could join Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mahamadou Diara in the stand for the remainder of the season.
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Opposite Ramos will be Frank Rijkaard who has led Barcelona to the top of the league in spite of losing former favourite Ronaldinho to AC Milan.
Rijkaard has an almost entirely fit squad to choose from as he prepares his players for a match that could see the Catalan giants move 12 points ahead of their fierce rivals, who sit in fifth place.
The clubs have been at loggerheads for decades with one heavily disputed transfer in particular causing bad blood between the two.
Alfredo de Stefano had been set to sign for Barca in the early 50s, before instead signing for Real where he went on to win five European Cups.
At 5/1, Madrid are a good bet for an away win although a repeat of May's 4-1 win carries odds of 125/1.
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