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Croatian Mateo Kovacic was the surprise selection in Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid starting line-up for El Clasico against Barcelona on Saturday (1200GMT) as the Frenchman left Gareth Bale and Isco on the bench. Kovacic hasn't started a La Liga game this season, but did a sterling job man-marking Barca's danger man Lionel Messi as Real thrashed the Catalans 5-1 on aggregate in the Spanish Super Cup back in August.

Southampton have not held talks with Premier League leaders Manchester City regarding the transfer of Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, manager Mauricio Pellegrino has confirmed. British media reports have said City have begun negotiations with Southampton to take the powerful defender to the Etihad Stadium in the January transfer window.

Ross Barkley's experience and talent will earn him a spot in the Everton team despite the midfielder being "at loggerheads" with the club and refusing to commit his future to them, manager Sam Allardyce said. Barkley refused a contract extension before the start of the season and was close to joining champions Chelsea on the final day of the transfer window, but a move to Stamford Bridge did not materialise.

In-form forward Wayne Rooney was left out of the Everton squad for their Premier League home game with defending champions Chelsea on Saturday, reportedly due to illness. Rooney, 32, has scored six goals in his last five league games as Everton have climbed to ninth place in the table under new manager Sam Allardyce.

Barcelona opened a commanding 14-point lead over bitter rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal handed the visitors a 3-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.