It's here! Real Madrid and Barcelona lock horns in the first of four El Clasico encounters in 16 days as the great rivals meet in their La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ronaldo's strike bounces in front of Victor Valdes, but the Barca keeper was always favourite to gather that up. For all the pace on the strike, it was right at him.

The ball is played forward for Sami Khedira to chase and Adriano blocks off the German. That's the game's first free-kick to Adriano for obstruction, and silly booking to pick up so early. No prizes for guessing who will strike this Real Madrid free-kick.

Xabi Alonso swings in a free-kick from deep, but it is an uncharacteristically aimless delivery from the Real midfielder.

Madrid are the most dangerous team in the first 15 minutes of league matches this season, having scored 11 goals. (Opta)

Messi zips around in the hole and threads a through ball into the box for David Villa, but Sergio Ramos is alert to the danger.

Ronaldo charges down the right but Adriano ghosts in front of him to intercept and is fouled by the Portuguese as he does so. A rather bitty start to this game. Makes you wonder how the fourth and final instalment of this series will begin.

Marcelo slides into tackle Lionel Messi and bundles the lineman over in the process! The official is now a little part of Clasico history.

Now Pepe fouls Xavi! The Barca playmaker typically takes the free-kick short and quick to keep the ball moving. It's like the Barca players are conditioned to hate the sight of a stationary football.

A chorus of whistles greets every touch from a Barcelona player in the opening moments. a scrappy bit of play in the centre circle ends with Pepe being barged over by Busquets.

Barca kick off and get this match underway! Karim Benzema is penalised for a foul on Sergi Busquets within 10 seconds!

The players are out on the field now, and are met by an almighty roar! Carles Puyol strides out alongside World Cup winning cpatain Iker Casillas. The abundance of talent on show in this game is truly amazing: 12 World Cup winners, three Ballon d'Or winners, millions upon millions spent on transfer fees... This. Is. Big.

The sounds of Nessum Dorma are keeping the fans in high spirits as they impatiently await the players to enter the field of play. If Real can win tonight, then truly none shall sleep.

The Santiago Bernabeu, one of the most iconic stadia in Europe, is a sea of white flags as every fan of Low Merengues has been given one. A huge banner reads "Hasts la final, vamos Real!".

Barca playmaker Xavi Hernandez has summed up the difference between these two sides perfectly: "We only have one player - Leo Messi - who can change a game on his own. The rest of us have to work together. Real have many players who can change a game themselves, but perhaps not so much as a team. That is the difference between us." Hard to argue.

Barcelona hold an eight-point lead at the top of the La Liga standings, with both sides having played 31 games. Is there any way back for Real?

So it's time for you all to make your predictions ahead of this evening's clash... Who do you think will prevail in tonight's Clasico? Who will be the goalscorers? And which side will end up winning La Liga? Post your thoughts, comments and predictions below...

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has urged his team-mates to enjoy the "Clasico"! "We have to be positive and trust in ourselves," the Portugal international, who has not scored against Barca in six matches for Real and his previous club Manchester United, said.

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol's recovery from a knee injury has progressed sufficiently for him to play. The Spain central defender, who turned 33 on Thursday, has not played since January 22 and his return is a major boost for Pep Guardiola's side as they seek to extend their eight-point lead over second-placed Real.

Here is a translation of a selection of Spanish words and phrases which help explain the historical rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona in the matches known as the "clasicos".

Our man Andy Mitten has had his say ahead of tonight's clash....

Following is a selection of five key games between Real and Barca, known as the "clasicos", going back more than a century...