RONALDO.

Benzema. James Rodriguez. Messi. Neymar. Suarez.

Some of the finest attacking talent in the world will be on show when Real Madrid face Barcelona this evening and it's a shame Gareth Bale won't add to that.

I remember when I first covered El Clasico they weren't always that open. One of the first ones I did was when Luis Figo had a pig's head thrown at him when he was about to take a corner for having "betrayed" Barcelona by going to Real Madrid.

In those days it was often a bit cagey but recently it has tended to be more a goal-fest and it wouldn't surprise me if it was that way again.

There is a political angle with what is happening in Catalonia and their independence referendum.

But I think this one will be remembered for the goals.

It's a tasty proposition having Luis Suarez making his debut, I would imagine from the bench, and Barca have the Messi and Neymar combination working superbly.

Having Suarez available will be a huge boost to Barcelona. You only need to look at Liverpool to see his impact.

We could talk at length about his other exploits but, as a player, you have to say he's in the top five in the world. Barcelona are very lucky to have him alongside Messi and Neymar.

You do wonder how they will fit them all together but they have done it before with top-class talent.

I would see him as a substitute for the first game but he could make a real impact off the bench.

The three forward stars of Barca whet the appetite but even they are overshadowed by Ronaldo at the moment.

He has scored 15 goals this season and continues to improve and surprise.

People ask: "Messi or Ronaldo, which do you prefer?" and, instinctively, Messi appeals more to me.

They are both fantastic players but Ronaldo has kicked on again this season and got even better.

Obviously he works hard at his game: it doesn't just click like that.

He is a tremendous role model and someone young players should look up to and want to be like for his approach to the game and work, and he will be centre-stage again in the Bernabeu.

This fixture is rarely about form, what has happened in previous weeks: it is about what happens on the night.

You could say it is a bigger game for Real than for Barcelona when you consider they are four points behind already and won't want to lose further ground.

The fact these two only meet twice in La Liga gives these games extra magnitude but it's not always whoever wins the two Clasicos that goes on to win the league.

It is not as simple as that, as Atletico Madrid showed last season. But Real will want to take advantage of this home game and put one over on their great rivals.

It is sure to be quite a show.