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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
1Real Madrid19134243192443
2Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona197472725225
9Rayo Vallecano196762222025
10Real BetisBetis196752123-225
11Osasuna186752327-425
12Celta Vigo197392830-224
13Sevilla196582128-723
14Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
15Leganes194781829-1119
16AlavesAlaves194592131-1017
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1944111731-1416
19Valencia1927101829-1113
20Real ValladolidValladolid1933121337-2412


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