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Clasico rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to lock horns in a mouth-watering Copa del Rey semi-final.
The first leg takes place at the Nou Camp on Wednesday evening, with the return at the Bernabeu on February 27. Eleven Sports will be screening the games live in the UK.
Sportsmail looks at 10 key questions ahead of the latest meeting between these two great rivals.
Clasico rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to meet in the Copa del Rey semi-finals
Does this competition really matter? It’s only the Cup after all.
It’s the least important of the three trophies but Real Madrid are so far behind in the league they are obliged to take it very seriously. Madrid have only won the cup twice this century so that is a factor too.
As for Barcelona – they did their best to get knocked out of it in the earlier rounds with a Miranda, Chumi, Murillo, Semedo defence in the first leg against Levante in the last 16.
But here they are in the semi-finals. There is now nothing to be gained by resting players. And it’s against Real Madrid so, yes, of course it matters.
Barcelona celebrate a goal by Luis Suarez during their win over Sevilla in the last round
Real Madrid celebrate a goal by Marcos Llorente (centre) during the last round at Girona
Who are the favourites?
Barcelona are still eight points clear of Real Madrid in the league so Santiago Solari’s side might have improved of late but the gulf is still a large one.
And to make matters worse for Madrid they will have less rest before both the first leg and the second leg at the end of the month because on both occasions Barcelona play on the Saturday and Real Madrid on the Sunday.
‘Is it deliberate?’ Santaigo Solari was asked on Tuesday. ‘I hope not,’ he said.
Will Lionel Messi play?
He got a knock on the thigh on Saturday and might not be 100 per cent but all indications are that he will start the game on Wednesday night.
It remains to be seen whether Lionel Messi shakes off a knock to play in the first leg
Are there any records left for Messi to break?
Funny you should ask. He’s never scored against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey despite facing them six times.
He has scored 26 goals against them in 38 matches, however.
What’s Solari’s biggest selection dilemma?
He has four forwards for three berths. Vinicius, Karim Benzema and Lucas Vazquez are the from trio but Gareth Bale is fit again and will want to be involved from the start.
Surely the in-form young Brazilian cannot be left out? And Lucas looks like the sensible pick to control those forward forays from Jordi Alba.
Bale on the bench looks the obvious call, especially with him just having come back from injury.
Gareth Bale will be desperate to be involved but may have to start on the bench on Wednesday
Is team selection a lot easier for Ernesto Valverde?
He needs to pick his third midfielder to join Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets.
But Arthur Melo’s form points to it being the young Brazilian without too much debate.
What are relations like between the two clubs right now. Solari and Valverde are hardly Guardiola and Mourinho?
It’s true the last time these clubs played a two-legged knockout it was the Champions League semi-finals and we had the infamous ‘f***ing boss’ press conference from Mourinho.
There will not be a repeat of that but neither will it be ring a ring of roses.
There is no love loss between Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique. And with Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and Casemiro on the field there are still fireworks guaranteed.
Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari smiles on the training field on Tuesday ahead of the match
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde keeps an eye on their training session on Tuesday
What will be the key clashes?
Suarez against Ramos looks like the standout head-to-head.
We could also see Messi get a run at the young Real Madrid left-back Sergio Reguilon.
If Vinicius does start his success at running at Nelson Semedo could also be key.
Luis Suarez versus Sergio Ramos will be a duel to watch during the semi-final encounters
Is this game more important for some players than others?
Philippe Coutinho’s best game for Barcelona so far has been his display in the Copa del Rey final last season against Sevilla.
He has had a frustrating first full season at Barcelona but he stays in the team because Ousmane Dembele is still out injured. There is a lot on this one for him.
Philippe Coutinho has a lot riding on this semi-final as he tries to find his best form
Who is going to win?
Messi’s fitness will be key. He was subdued after suffering the injury on Saturday.
If he is off-key and without Dembele, Madrid might have enough to carve out a first-leg advantage.
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