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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


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