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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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Written by
Jack Prescott

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid23155351222950
2Atletico MadridAtletico23147238152349
3Barcelona23153564253948
4Athletic Bilbao23128336201644
5Villarreal23117546341240
6Rayo Vallecano239862724335
7Real Sociedad2394102020031
8GironaGirona2394103133-231
9Osasuna2371062832-431
10Mallorca2394102029-931
11Real BetisBetis237882731-429
12Celta Vigo2384113437-328
13Sevilla237792534-928
14Getafe236981817127
15Las PalmasLas Palmas2365122838-1023
16Espanyol2365122235-1323
17Leganes2358101932-1323
18Valencia2357112437-1322
19AlavesAlaves2356122535-1021
20Real ValladolidValladolid2343161548-3315


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