With El Clasico just around the corner, @GT4ABL sat down to ask their Spanish Football Expert for his opinions on the upcoming Clasico.

So Miguel, with El Clasico nearly upon us, how are you feeling!

I am exited, it's like having two Christmas's a year, one at the Bernabéu and one at the Camp Nou!  It's one of the biggest fixtures in world football and the latest instalment is nearly here!

The biggest talking point pre-match was always going to be around Luis Suarez.  As you predicted on this weeks @GT4ABL podcast , it was announced today that he is starting.  What difference do you think it will make to the Barcelona team and their style of play?

Suarez is world class talent.  He is a player who gives his all for the team and will do what it takes to win.  Sometimes he goes to far and that is what has delayed his début for Barca.  One thing you can guarantee is his work rate and selfless attitude towards his work for the team.  A major consideration for Luis Enrique was his fitness.  We hear all the time of fitness and match sharpness being two different things.  Throwing a player in for his debut, having only played a handful of friendlies and a couple of internationals is a big call, even for someone of his ability and experience.  It all came down to the hunger and desire he has been showing in training.  Players in the dressing room have been saying in interviews this week that he is physically and mentally ready for this game.  He may only last 60 minutes, but it will be an explosive 60 minutes full of passion, running and energy!

 How will they keep Messi happy now with both Suarez and Neymar in the team?

Messi and Neymar have worked much better together this season.  Last year it all looked a bit disjointed.  Some of it was to do with Messi not being happy with the coaching of Tata Martino, and some was down to Neymar getting used to not being the main man and they often tried to play in the same spaces on the pitch.  Now they are adjusting and the introduction of Suarez will actually enable Messi to perform better.  The work rate of Suarez will allow Messi to rest in games.  He will be able to perform in a similar role to the one under Guardiola where he plays off the front, with Suarez providing that Eto'o type foil at number 9.

Speaking of Messi, that Ronaldo is looking a bit tasty isn't he!

Yeah, he certainly is!  Ronaldo is in sensational form at present, as is the whole Madrid team.  Since their 4-2 humbling at Sociedad earlier in the season (note:where they were 2-0 up) they haven't looked back. Ronaldo has been on wonderful goalscoring form.  His goal the other night against Liverpool epitomised the way they have been playing and the difference James Rodriguez is having now he is beginning to adapt. James is having to learn to perform in the Di Maria role, working of the front, fitting in to a defensive formation where needed.  This is a big change from his free role at Monaco, and also the demands of playing with a perfectionist like CR7.

How will the absence of Gareth Bale hurt Madrid's chances of breaching a defence yet to concede in La Liga?

I think it will help them in some ways.  Of course, missing a player of that immense quality and skill will hurt any team, but it is allowing Isco a run in the team.  He is a very good player in the kind of Juan Mata / David Silva mould.  He is too having to learn the defensive side of the game, but provides the cover to allow Ronaldo the freedom to roam about and appear in spaces to receive the ball.  Madrid will score, I'm sure of that, Barca's defence has only had one real test which was away at PSG in the Champions League and they failed that test conceding three goals.  Pique is off form, although improving, and that means a central defensive partnership of Mascherano and summer signing Mathieu.  Even without Bale, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo should be able to find spaces through the Barca backline.

Overall then Miguel it's shaping up to be a good one, score prediction please....

2-2 for me.  Barcelona are undefeated in the league and are yet to concede so they will approach the away Clasico with confidence.  Madrid too arrive at this fixture in a good vein of form, scoring goals and looking strong, especially in midfield and up top.  Last years 4-3 was difficult to top, but I'm expecting an exiting game with goals.

Cheers Miguel!

Gracias, always a pleasure.