Analysis:

It couldn't get any better as Real Madrid hosts Barcelona in one of the biggest games in La Liga all season. With just eight games left to the end of the season, this could well decide who ends up with the title come end season.

The two arch-rivals are tied with 77 points at the top of La Liga with Real Madrid on top courtesy of goal difference, but a draw would be good enough to send Barca to the top because of their head-to-head record having won at Camp Nou 1-0 earlier this season.

For the record, Barcelona have won the last three El Clasico showdowns, including their memorable 6-2 success at the Bernabeu last season!

However, they will face Real Madrid who have won every one of their home league matches this season and have won their last 12 games on the spin, while Barcelona have won their last five matches in an eight-game unbeaten run coming into this match.

We will see the battle taking place between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to see who is the best footballer in the world.

The visitors Barcelona will travel to Madrid with high confidence after their midweek Champions League win over Arsenal, but they have to make to start without their match-winner from their first meeting with Real as Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ruled out with a calf problem.

Gerard Pique, who missed the Arsenal win through suspension, has recovered from a thigh problem and he will return in defence alongside Carles Puyol, who will start after missing the Arsenal game with a suspension.

Full-back Eric Abidal is out of this clash for Pep Guardiola's side after limping off with a thigh problem against Arsenal, meaning Maxwell is set to start at left-back. Meanwhile Andres Iniesta could return to the starting line-up after coming as a substitute in midweek against Arsenal, but Thierry Henry at best will have to do with a place on the bench.

For the home side, they will be without Brazilian star Kaka as he has failed to recover from a thigh problem. Also Former Liverpool man Xabi Alonso is doubtful for Real as he tries to shake off a muscle injury.

Therefore Alvaro Arbeloa could be given the task to keep Lion el Messi from scoring. Upfront, Real will look to in-form Gonzalo Higuain to lead their attack with the Argentine striker scoring eight goals in his last five games. Rosyton Drenthe has returned to full training, but he is set to start on the bench alongside Karim Benzema who has also recently recovered from injury.

Take Real Madrid for the win here.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Statistics :

REAL_MADRID LAST SIX HOME FORM
	DATE	RESULT		OPPOSITION
	2010-03-28	W	3-2	H v Atletico_Madrid
	2010-03-20	W	3-1	H v Gijon
	2010-03-06	W	3-2	H v Sevilla
	2010-02-21	W	6-2	H v Villarreal
	2010-02-06	W	3-0	H v Espanyol
	2010-01-24	W	2-0	H v Malaga
BARCELONA LAST SIX AWAY FORM
	DATE	RESULT		OPPOSITION
	2010-03-27	W	0-1	A v Mallorca
	2010-03-21	W	2-4	A v Zaragoza
	2010-03-06	D	2-2	A v Almeria
	2010-02-14	L	2-1	A v Atletico_Madrid
	2010-01-30	W	0-1	A v Gijon
	2010-01-23	W	0-3	A v Valladolid

HEAD TO HEAD REAL_MADRID v BARCELONA
DATE	HOME	SCORE	AWAY
2009-05-02	Real_Madrid	2-6	Barcelona
2008-05-07	Real_Madrid	4-1	Barcelona
2006-10-22	Real_Madrid	2-0	Barcelona
2005-11-19	Real_Madrid	0-3	Barcelona
2005-04-10	Real_Madrid	4-2	Barcelona
2004-04-25	Real_Madrid	1-2	Barcelona

The Pick :

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