The stakes could not be higher as double champions Real Madrid host leaders Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu today in a duel that could determine the fate of this season’s Spanish championship.
Barcelona hold a four-point cushion over Real going into El Clasico so victory would virtually secure the title with just four games left, however, if Real win they would be just a point behind cranking up the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side.
For Barcelona it is the second tough game inside five days having faced Chelsea on Tuesday in the Champions League semi-final first leg which finished 0-0.
A similar result would probably suit Guardiola fine but Real, who are well rested after no European commitments, will hope their rivals have heavy legs.
“Real may be the favorites with home advantage but Barca are the league leaders and not so long ago people were talking about them coming here to win the title,” said Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
“We want the fans to get excited but we are not a point behind Barcelona yet and we also have a more difficult run-in than them,” he said.
It will be a contrast of different soccer style as the flair and panache of Barcelona come up against the robot-like efficiency of Real.
Real have gone 18 league games unbeaten — with 17 wins and one draw — to get back in the title race and their last loss came in mid-December with a 2-0 reverse against Barcelona at Camp Nou.
Barca had a 12-point gap over Real back then but now that is down to four points as they struggle to get across the finish line.
If both sides finish level on points the head-to-head record decides the league — as it did for Real in 2007 when Barca and Real had equal points — so Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Real gives them a slight edge.
Guardiola’s side have to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final and Lionel Messi believes a win over Real could aid their European aspirations.
“If we win, we’ll be able to go to Chelsea [next week] feeling more relaxed,” Messi said. “We are a very close team and are all very motivated to win a title for Barca after two years without one.”
While the spotlight is on Real-Barca there is another crucial match today as Sevilla travel to Villarreal.
Sevilla have lost their last four matches and are clinging to third place with Valencia now just one point behind.
Tomorrow Valencia travel to in-form Espanyol who have collected 13 points from 15 to move out of the relegation zone.
Villarreal are two points back from Sevilla in fifth making the match at El Madrigal a must-win game for both sides.
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