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As it happenedended

El Clasico Barcelona vs Real Madrid: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on, where can I watch it?

A look ahead to the La Liga clash at the Nou Camp

Mark Critchley
Wednesday 30 November 2016 13:33 EST

What time does it start?

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The 232nd Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be held on Saturday 3 December at 3.15pm GMT at the Nou Camp, Barcelona.

Where can I watch it?

Unfortunately, it will not be shown on television in the UK.

You will, however, be able to follow The Independent’s live coverage on our blog.

Why is it not on TV?

It is illegal to broadcast live football matches on UK television between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturdays due to the potential impact on match attendances.

Ironically, the 3.15pm kick-off time was chosen in order to maximise the global television audience.

If you live elsewhere in the world, you can find information on where to watch the game here.

Follow it live...

What does the league table look like?

Predictably, these two sit at the top of La Liga, but it’s the reigning Spanish champions who are playing catch up.

Barcelona are five points off Real Madrid, who remain unbeaten in all competitions under Zinedine Zidane this season.

Luis Enrique's side have already lost twice in the league, against Alaves and Celta Vigo, and suffered defeat to Manchester City in Champions League.

What happened last time?

Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2
La Liga, April 2016

Madrid's players celebrate their late victory at the Nou Camp last season
Madrid's players celebrate their late victory at the Nou Camp last season (Getty)

One of the more memorable Clasico's in recent years saw Barcelona's 39-game unbeaten run ended by a depleted Real Madrid at Nou Camp.

Cristiano Ronaldo's late strike granted victory to the visitors, who had seen Sergio Ramos pick up a customary red card just minutes earlier.

Gerard Pique's header had put Barça ahead, only for Karim Benzema to level with an acrobatic finish.

The three points did not help Real's wiltering title challenge but Los Blancos were spurred on the Champions League glory, which came against rivals Atletico in Milan a month later.

Make your prediction...

What's the form?

Barcelona: WWWDD

Real Madrid: WWWWW

What are the odds?

Barcelona: 11/12

Draw: 13/4

Real Madrid: 16/5

47 min: Lovely stuff from Messi, who drives at Madrid's defence and then chips the ball in to Suarez.

The former Liverpool striker shoots an angle but his effort is blocked and put out for a corner with comes to nothing.

Mark Critchley3 December 2016 16:21

50 min: Chants of 'Iniestaaaaa, Iniestaaaaa' greet the Barcelona legend's appearance on the touchline.

It's clear who the cules want to come on.

Mark Critchley3 December 2016 16:25

52 min: Ronaldo snatches at a shot and blazes wide, but only after some promising build-up from the visitors.

Zinedine Zidane's side are coming into this game a lot more.

Mark Critchley3 December 2016 16:26

GOAL! Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 0 (Suarez)

And just as I said Madrid were coming into it, Barcelona lead.

Free-kick out on the left, brilliant pinpoint and devilish delivery by Neymar, right onto the bonce of Suarez who nods in from a few yards out.

He's close to being offside but perhaps just level. And after having such a poor first half, he needed that.

Mark Critchley3 December 2016 16:26

58 min: Superb ball from Kovacic plays in Benzema, he's one-on-one, but he's muscled off the ball by a recovering Alba.

Iniesta coming on, Rakitic leaving us.

Mark Critchley3 December 2016 16:33

62 min: Barcelona break through Messi, he has Suarez and Neymar in support, finds the Uruguayan but his poor pass sees the move break down.

Mark Critchley3 December 2016 16:37

65 min: The goal was the first Madrid have conceded from a set-piece this season.

They are, of course, unbeaten in all competitions too. Is that '0' about to go?

Mark Critchley3 December 2016 16:41

68 min: So close from Neymar!

He cuts inside, sees the goal open up for him, pulls the trigger but sends the ball over. He should have scored.

Mark Critchley3 December 2016 16:43

69 min: Iniesta's first attempt sees him smack the side-netting. He's made a difference since coming on, Barcelona's play seeming so much quicker.

Mark Critchley3 December 2016 16:45

74 min: It looks like Zidane is going to reach for James Rodriguez in the hope that he'll make a difference.

He needs to try something, Madrid have simply not been in the game this half.

Mark Critchley3 December 2016 16:50

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