Barcelona and Real Madrid will face off three times in the space of 25 days in a trilogy of games that could determine the fate of both teams' seasons.

The action begins on Wednesday in the semi-final of the Copa del Rey when the two sides meet at Camp Nou - the first time the fierce enemies will cross paths in the competition since the 2014 final, when a stunning 60-yard dribble and finish from Gareth Bale secured the title for Los Blancos.

Since then, the sides have engaged in battle on 11 occasions, the most recent of which brought an end to Julen Lopetegui's ill-fated tenure as Barcelona humiliated their historic rivals 5-1 in a LaLiga encounter back in October.

All signs point to Wednesday's meeting being a more evenly-contested affair, though.

In the one corner, the reigning LaLiga and Copa del Rey champions, Barcelona, who despite boasting a dazzling array of stars in their ranks, continue to rely heavily upon the extraterrestrial abilities of Lionel Messi.

The Argentinean magician was at hand on Sunday to salvage a point for the blaugrana against Valencia, but took a knock in the process. The extent of that injury has not been confirmed, however, having appeared in Tuesday's training session and made it into the 19-man squad for Wednesday's game, it seems that Ernesto Valverde is happy with his number 10's level of fitness.

Further good news for Barcelona is the return of Ousmane Dembele. 

The sometimes-tardy Frenchman has overcome injury and a bout of illness, and is available to help his team avoid a third successive first leg defeat in the competition - in the previous two rounds, Barcelona had to come from behind to get past Levante and Sevilla.

In the other corner, Real Madrid, buoyant on the back of five straight wins in all competitions, will be aiming to extend their hosts' first leg losing streak.

Following a taxing few months at the helm of the back-to-back-to-back European champions, Santi Solari seems to have got the team ticking again. Vinicius Junior has been a revelation since breaking into the first team; Karim Benzema is playing some of the best soccer of his life; Luka Modric is finally over his World Cup hangover; and Sergio Ramos looks like the Sergio Ramos of old (albeit without the red cards). 

Question marks hang over who Solari will line up with at Camp Nou, with Marcelo's spot in the starting line-up no longer assured thanks to Sergio Reguilon, Isco relegated to the status of benchwarmer, and Gareth Bale failing to convince on a consistent basis.

The stage is set for three epic installments of soccer's biggest rivalry and beIN SPORTS is the only place you can watch the action. Tune in on Wednesday at 3pm ET / 12pm PT.