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Preview: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona

Sports Mole previews Saturday's La Liga encounter between bitter rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu.

One of the biggest matches in world football takes place on Saturday afternoon as Real Madrid welcome Barcelona to the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga.

The visitors will be eager to gain revenge on their rivals after they were knocked out in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday with a 3-1 defeat at the Camp Nou.

Despite that disappointing loss, the Catalan club are running away with the league title as they sit 16 points clear of third-placed Real in the table.

The two teams played out a 2-2 draw in their previous league meeting back in October with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring two goals each.

Iker Casillas remains sidelined for the hosts, while Xabi Alonso may not be risked ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 second leg against Manchester United.

Barcelona have no new injury concerns ahead of the match, but Victor Valdes is expected to return in goal following Jose Pinto's appearance in the Copa del Rey defeat.

Recent form

Madrid: LWDWWW

Barca: DWWLWL

Possible starting lineups

Madrid: Lopez; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Essien, Khedira; Di María, Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo; Higuain

Barca: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Fabregas; Pedro, Iniesta; Messi

Sports Mole says: 2-2


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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona87012591621
2Real Madrid85301761118
3Villarreal85211715217
4Atletico MadridAtletico8440124816
5Athletic Bilbao8422128414
6Mallorca842286214
7Osasuna84221213-114
8Real BetisBetis833287112
9Rayo Vallecano824298110
10Celta Vigo83141515010
11AlavesAlaves83141112-110
12GironaGirona8233911-29
13Sevilla8233810-29
14Real Sociedad822467-18
15Getafe814356-17
16Leganes814359-47
17Espanyol8215712-57
18Valencia8125513-85
19Real ValladolidValladolid8125417-135
20Las PalmasLas Palmas8035916-73


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