La Liga Sets Date, Time for First 2018-19 Clasico Between Real Madrid, Barcelona

The first Clasico of the 2018-19 La Liga campaign between Real Madrid and Barcelona will be played on October 28, with kick-off time set for 4:15 p.m. CET (3:15 p.m. GMT).  

La Liga President Javier Tebas announced the news on Thursday in an interview with El Transistor (h/t AS' Jaime Candil).

Per Candil, it means Barcelona will have one less day to prepare for the match following their date with Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League. The Catalans will face the Nerazzuri on Wednesday, one day after Real play Viktoria Plzen.

El Clasico is Spain's biggest match and one of the most anticipated dates on the global football calendar, drawing in huge viewing figures from all over the world. 

Fans are already excited:

After just three matchdays, the two rivals already sit at the top of La Liga as the only clubs with perfect records. 

There was a major change in the rivalry during the summer, however, as Los Blancos said goodbye to both manager Zinedine Zidane and record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo. Because of this, the Catalans are seen as favourites in the title race.

The Blaugrana will face Tottenham Hotspur, Valencia, Sevilla and Inter in the lead-up to the Clasico, a tricky series of fixtures that could have a major impact on the match. Real take on Deportivo Alaves, Levante and Plzen before traveling to Catalonia.

According to Goal's Oli Platt, Real hold the edge in the rivalry, winning 95 games compared to 92 for Barcelona. Last year, the Catalans took one win in La Liga, while the return fixture was tied. Real won both Supercopa de Espana fixtures.