Spain's - perhaps even the world's - biggest game gets underway on Saturday as Barcelona host Real Madrid in a Clasico that will go a long way to deciding who will walk away with the league title this season.

With Barcelona sitting four points behind their great rivals in second place, a win would close the gap to one and really crank up the pressure on Jose Mourinho's men. Neither have had to worry about qualification for the Champions League for a long time as Barca are 29 points ahead of third-placed Valencia and, having both played in midweek, are also in with a chance of winning Europe's top club competition as well. Despite Real losing 2-1 to Bayern and Barcelona 1-0 at Chelsea, though, the focus for the weekend is firmly back on the league.

Such is the success of both clubs that there were five Clasico games last season - Champions League, league and Copa del Rey - and there would be eight if they both make the Champions League final this year. Barcelona have held the edge, winning 3-1 at the Bernabeu in the league, knocking Real out of the Copa del Rey (4-3 on aggregate) and picking up the Spanish Super Cup (5-4 on aggregate). A grand total of 12-8 to Barcelona across the five games to date.

The Catalans' league form has been phenomenal coming into the important part of the season: 11 wins on the trot. Over Real's last 11 games, they have won eight and drawn three, reducing their lead at the top to only four points. Mourinho's last league defeat was against Barca on December 10.

The usual suspects of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos will be in the spotlight again as their club rivalry threatens to upset the balance of the Spain squad as Euro 2012 approaches. All eyes will be on how these players react to each other - along with the centre-stage battle of Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo. If recent history is to be believed, the latest - and most important - Clasico will be a spiky affair, hopefully tinged with a few moments of magic.

Barcelona player to watch: Sergio Busquets. Although not the first name that comes to mind when you think about the free-flowing tiki-taka of Barcelona, Busquets is one of the first names on Pep Guardiola's teamsheet. Providing the shield for the defence, his capturing of possession and short passing provides the platform for Barca's attacking players, while his versatility allows him to switch to centre-back if Guardiola changes his formation to 3-4-3. Like some others, El Clasico seems to bring out the worst in Busquets as he surrounds officials and frequently tries to buy free-kicks.

Real Madrid player to watch: Pepe. One of the world's most expensive defenders, few can argue with the former FC Porto hardman's importance to Real. His aerial ability, coolness on the ball and tough tackling have ensured that his side have conceded just 29 goals from their 33 games, although he has an obvious weak spot when it comes to Barcelona. Being sent off in the Champions League clash last season and stamping on Messi's hand this January has not helped his cause and his playacting has put him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

Key Battle: Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo. Who else could it be but the two best players in the world? Their stats this season are just incredible: Messi's 63 goals against Ronaldo's 57, with the pair tied on a record 41 in La Liga. Voters for the World Player of the Year award are forced to split them, but the pair are so far ahead of everyone else in the game that it is almost laughable and, while they may not admit it openly, there is a heated personal rivalry bubbling under the surface. Messi and Ronaldo are both the focal point of their sides and it is hard to imagine an Clasico without them. There are few better sights in the game than when they get going with the ball at their feet.

Trivia: A yellow card for Cristiano Ronaldo would see him pick up a one-game suspension that would rule him out of a potentially big game against Sevilla.

Stats: If they score, Real Madrid will break their own record of 107 La Liga goals in one season - formerly held by John Toshack's side in 1990. Barca have won 11 games in a row and could equal their own La Liga record of 16 from 2011 if they are victorious in all of their remaining league games.

Match

This is Barcelona's game to win.

is Saturday 20th of April?

Barcelona vs Real madrid‏ ‏‎(2-0)

Barcelona all the way..

Barcelona Vs Real Madrid (0-2). This is the time for Real to shine.

Los Blancos to win 3 to 2

hmmmmmmmm

Real Madrid [img]http://www.spgames.info/g.gif[/img]

No fraud Madrid will win..

[color=#990000][/color]Barca play,s on tha pitch,not pages of news paper.

wooow

mukina2: Messi's 63 goals against Ronaldo's 57, with the pair tied on a record 41 in La Liga.

Cristiano Ronaldo's stats in the 2011/2012 season.

Total Goals: 53

Spanish League "La Liga": 41

Spanish Super Cup: 1

Copa del Rey: 3

[/b]UEFA Champions League: [b]8

http://www.ronaldo7.net/stats/stats.html

Hala madrid

Segun, O:
Barcelona Vs Real Madrid (0-2). This is the time for Real to shine.

halamadrid

mama-gee:
Madrid is winning this!!!

halamadrid

Richvkunt: Barcelona are gradually reining Real Madrid in.
Madrid really need to be careful because they face the prospect of their season completely imploding over the next couple of days.Barcelona have surely and steadily cut their points lead to four,while in the Champions league Bayern Munich look like a side that can and will trouble Real at the Santiago bernebau stadium.

halamadrid

Am hopin 4 d best n expectin d worst.....hala madrid

For peace to reign, Barca 1, Real 3.

Are u sure the time is 7Pm, l think it is b/w 11am-12pm noon. Pls guys check l may b wrong

for mourinho to keep his mouth zipped up. for mourinho not to put on his lip gloss, for mourinho not to blame the referee, madrid must win. even if pepe breaks some limbs or marcelo tackles someone from behind.

afam4eva: This is Barcelona's game to win.

Says who? Madrid all the way!

[quote author=c-zay]Barcelona all the way..[/quote


na soo jooh my broda,na barca get this game.]

I hail d best team in d Whole world..Madrid no get wetin dem go use beat me na,Na red card den go use spoil dat match
REAL MADRID+FRUSTRATION+REDCARD+OWNGOAL=FCB 3-1 MADRID

Walk into Real Madrid's dressing room and you can correctly guess who the best player is- C. RONALDO. Observe the way he stands, the way he moves, the way he stares, he even has 6 packs, he has gelled hair and to top it up, He his handsome. This guy acts like a God amongst men. Enter the Barcelona dressing room and you wouldn't guess correctly who the best player is since Ronaldinho isn't there anymore but you'll come across this guy seated in a corner. He his smallish in stature, he his quiet, he has a double chin and he stares like a mouse. Let him leave the dressing room and come watch him on the football pitch, it is then you will realize who is truly the best player. He shouldn't be playing amongst men but deserves to play among angels in heaven. LIONEL MESSI, the best player ever!!