Paco Alcácer is in good form. This season, he is scoring or assisting once every 82 minutes. His latest came as FC Barcelona needed a goal against Villarreal, helping play a one-two with Luis Suárez that ended with the Uruguayan finding the opening goal in Barça’s eventual 2-0 victory.

Earlier, Alcácer was struggling for playing time and rumors swirled he was due for a winter exit, but it doesn’t seem likely at all anymore. His brace against Sevilla and his latest work against Villarreal prove he is an impact player in big games.

Ousmane Dembélé’s fitness is still a doubt, meaning Ernesto Valverde has a starting job open. Denis Suárez was selected for that match against Villarreal, but his performance was middling. Paulinho has been starting many games lately, and we could see a repeat of the XI that faced Valencia with Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, and Ivan Rakitić in midfield alongside the Brazilian.

But the question is, does Paco deserve a place against Real Madrid in two weeks’ time? The player has experience in el Clásico, and he seems even more plugged in now than he was before. So is he a good option to start?