LIVE COVERAGE Barcelona Vs. Real Madrid: Messi And Ronaldo in La Liga El Clasico
The world of soccer will stop still once more as the two greatest sides in the game collide in the latest El Clasico. You can follow live commentary of the match below.
It seems like every time these sides meet there is something monumental at stake, as well as the obvious pride that comes from getting one over on your biggest rival.
And this occasion is not different with the destiny of the La Liga title resting heavily on the outcome of the match. Real Madrid hold a four-point edge over their historic foes from Catalonia with just five games of the league season to play.
Yet Barcleona may feel they have the momentum in their favor. Pep Guardiola's side have whittled away at was a 10-point deficit just over a month ago.
Both Real and Barcelona have to overcome taking surprising deficits from the first-leg of their respective Champions League semi-finals in midweek. While Real suffered a 2-1 defeat in Bayern to Real, Barca went down 1-0 to Chelsea.
But with a day less recovery time, it is Barcelona that may find it more challenging to come out of the blocks firing on Saturday.
Team News: Barcelona make two changes to the lineup that went down to Chelsea in midweek. Thiago Alcantra and Cristian Tello come in for Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas, The change means Andres Iniesta will likely operate further advanced, with Thiago slotting into midfield.
Real coach Jose Mourinho has opted for the same side that lineup against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Barcelona: Valdés; Dani Alves, Mascherano, Puyol, Adriano; Busquets, Xavi, Thiago; Iniesta, Messi, Tello
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Ronaldo, Ozil, Di María; Benzema
Prediction: Barcelona has the better form both in La Liga and in recent match-ups between the sides. With Real knowing that a draw would surely be enough for them to win the title, Mourinho is likely to adopt a defensive approach that has not served them well against Barca in the past.
Barcelona 3-1 Real Madrid
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