50 El Clásico things you can tweet to look smart

This weekend the most popular, and perhaps most important, match in world soccer will take place: El Clasico. The matchup itself needs no introduction, pitting two of the biggest teams in the world against each other in what should be a tapestry of attacking soccer.

With Madrid’s loss to Sevilla last matchday, Barcelona now sit firmly atop the La Liga standings, three points clear of their rivals. It’s a position few may have expected them to be in after they themselves lost to Sevilla months ago.

That matchup was their first without the mercurial Lionel Messi and it seemed certain that they would continue to drop points without their talisman. However, Barca have gone from strength to strength riding the partnership of Neymar and Luis Suarez to the summit of La Liga.

An injury-plagued Madrid, on the other hand, have been less impressive, though the results have been there. The loss to Sevilla, their first of the season, brought heavy criticism on Cristiano Ronaldo and co., but with many of the stars back to full fitness — James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Keylor Navas in particular — they hoping to put on a show for their home fans.

Here’s El Clasico, in 50 140-character (or less) bursts. Copy them, tweet them, use them as you wish. We don’t even need credit for them:

Not just Messi versus Ronaldo

1) This time it isn’t about Messi v Ronaldo. The Argentine’s been out for months. Ronaldo’s playing like he’s been injured, too. #ElClasico

2) Luis Suarez and Neymar in La Liga since Lionel Messi’s injury: 6 games, 16 goals, 5 assists. ?⚡️?

3) 13 goals in 15 games for CR7 seems good, but his performances have been tepid. 8 goals were racked up in 2 games early this season ?

4) Ronaldo’s form came to a boil in Seville. He got some of the harshest criticism he’s received since joining Madrid.

5) Some have even suggested that CR7 be benched for the sake of the team. #ElClasico could be a chance for redemption.

Programming note: If you live in the United States, the game is being televised on beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS Español as well as being streamed live on fuboTV. If you don’t have a TV subscription to beIN SPORTS, you can watch Real Madrid versus Barcelona live on fuboTV for just $6.99 per month. The service streams the beIN broadcast in HD to your computer, tablet, smartphone, Apple TV or Roku. And set-up just takes minutes. Read our fuboTV FAQ. And sign up for fuboTV via their website.

Changing of the Guard

6) With Messi out, Neymar has gladly taken his place in soccer’s pantheon this season.

7) This audacious goal vs Villarreal just the tip of the iceberg for Neymar. He has thrived this season in his leading role.

8) Neymar has scored 13 goals and notched 6 assists but his ability to lead a Barcelona team without Lionel Messi has been most impressive.

9) It’s a changing of the guard. It seems as Ronaldo has begun his decline as Neymar began his ascent.

10) But be weary of counting out CR7 too soon. He’s made his career out of repeatedly proving people wrong. ?

11) CR7 winning a battle against father time will be his biggest challenge of all. ?

The Treatment Table

12) Navas, Bale and James are back but Benzema reportedly suffered a setback this week, disastrous news for Madrid. ???

13) Interestingly enough there is an argument to be made that the troubled Frenchman could be considered the biggest loss of all.

14) Benzema makes Madrid tick. His link up play liberates Ronaldo. Ronaldo has looked poor in his absence.

15) Sergio Ramos will play despite his nagging shoulder injury that he re-aggravated after scoring this stunning bicycle kick against Sevilla.

16) The Madrid captain skipped Spain duty to focus on rehabbing his injured shoulder.

17) Suarez recently referred to Ramos as the toughest defender he’s ever faced. Madridistas are hoping the captain can go 90.

18) Someone who likely won’t last 90 minutes? Lionel Messi, though reports indicate he will play some role in #ElClasico, barring a setback.

19) Barcelona have done well without the little magician but la blaugrana would be elated to have their best player back.

20) Earlier this season Messi was rested against Atletico, but when he was introduced in the second half he instantly turned the game around.

21) Expect Luis Enrique to start Messi on the bench but bring him on in the second half of #ElClasico against tired Madrid defenders.

SEE MORE: Unprecedented security | Bale ready to go.

Politics

22) Expect Gerard Pique to get a less than friendly welcome Saturday at the Bernabeu.

23) Pique has been outspoken about his hate for Madrid, going out of his way to taunt the capital club as Barca celebrated last season’s treble.

24) Some have compared the impending reception to the one Figo received in 2001 on his first trip back to the Nou Camp.

25) Yikes #ElClasico #TBT #Figo #Pique #InstagramHashtags

26) Maybe the reception for Pique won’t be that bad? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯” But … never say never

27) Recent Catalan Independence news will further increase tension. FC Barcelona is essentially the face of the movement. #catalonia

28) #ElClasico is not merely a matchup of top two teams in acountry. It’s a clash between the establishment and the opposition.

29) No two teams represent differing ideologies as well as these two. It’s embedded in their respective histories.

Coaching

30) Last year Luis Enrique was feeling the heat. A year and a treble winning season later, he couldn’t be more comfortable.

31) Rant time: Rafa Benitez’s summer appointment was met with skepticism which has waned as the season went on … [1/8]

32) And rightly so, Benitez turned Madrid into a well oiled machine even in the absence of multiple first team players … [2/8]

33) But two recent matches (1-0 v PSG and 2-3 v Sevill)a has brought about some criticism of the Spaniard … [3/8]

34) Some think he’s too defensive, or doesn’t play in the “Madrid way” … [4/8]

35) Which is true to an extent, Rafa often places pragmatism ahead of aesthetics on the pitch … [5/8]

36) But he was also hampered by so many of his attacking players being out. Madrid should be more positive in #ElClasico … [6/8]

37) There’s even been multiple reports rifts between Rafa and certain players. Those are likely overblown … [7/8]

38) Still it was reported this week that Madrid players were actually giving Rafa their tactics suggestions ahead #ElClasico #OverTweeting [8/8]

Key Matchup: Neymar versus Navas

https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhsMENhGKhY

39) An unstoppable force against an immovable object. Neymar and Navas players among La Liga’s standouts so far. #NeymarvNavas

40) Neymar is morphing into the complete package. Long gone are his days of needless showboating (he does indulge on occasion) #NeymarvNavas

41) Neymar leads #LaLiga with 11 goals. Second? Luis Suarez, with 9. #SinMessi #NeymarvNavas

42) LT, tho: Navas has been Madrid’s best player this season, pulling off impossible save after impossible save. #NeymarvNavas

43) Navas has only allowed three goals. It’s no surprise that Madrid allowed three goals in the one game he was out. #NeymarvNavas

44) Can Navas’ heroics extend to #ElClasico? This matchup could be huge. #NeymarvNavas

Predictions:

45) A cagey contest starts slowly and picks up pace as it goes along. #ElClasico

45) Navas makes at least two baffling saves. Neymar has his hands on his head in shock. Navas tips a shot around the post. #ElClasico

46) Danilo struggles defensively against agile wingers. “He has the turning radius of a bus.” Neymar skins him. #ElClasico

47) Back to full fitness expect, some magic from James. He’ll score one of his trademark wonder goals. #ElClasico

48) Ronaldo rises to the occasion with Messi back. Bale has his best Clasico game since the legendary 2014 Copa final. #ElClasico

49) Lionel Messi’s second half introduction completely changes the course of the game.#ElClasico

50) Final score 2-2. Some drama and some diving … as per usual. #ElClasico