
All the attention is on the Real Madrid and Barcelona clash in a match that could decide the destination of the La Liga title.
The previous two 'El Clasico' showdowns at the Bernabeu have been blockbusters, with Madrid winning 4-1 in May 2008 to celebrate clinching their second successive league crown in style and Barca hitting back in stunning fashion 12 months later with a 6-2 victory that all-but sealed their title triumph of last season.
And all signs point to this year's edition being just as memorable.
Madrid have plenty of things in their favour heading into the match, having won their last 12 successive league matches, been victorious in all 15 fixtures at home this term and boasting two forwards in Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo who between them have netted 42 goals in just 45 La Liga appearances.
Manuel Pellegrini's side also hold top spot going into the 31st round of fixtures, but that is only on goal difference and Barca will take over at the summit with just a draw in the capital as the head-to-head record between the two giants would then come into effect.
Barca won 1-0 at the Nou Camp in November and they will know from bitter experience how vital it will be to avoid defeat this weekend having lost the race for the 2006/07 league title only due to an inferior head-to-head record with Madrid.
Like Madrid, Barca are also in prime form and they will be brimming with confidence after thumping Arsenal 4-1 on Tuesday to secure their place in the Champions League semi-final - with Inter Milan now only standing between Pep Guardiola's men and another trip to the Bernabeu for May's final.
Lionel Messi scored all four goals against the Gunners to take his tally to 39 in all competitions this season, and he will be a huge threat to Pellegrini`s men.
However, Madrid playmaker Guti believes his side would be wrong to focus solely on the Argentinian magician, saying: "It's ridiculous to concentrate on just one of their players. We'll have to concentrate on all of them.
"It's as if they just concentrated on Ronaldo and then concede a goal by Raul. I don't need Messi to score four goals in order to realise how good he is. He is one of the two or three best players in the world right now and he is Barcelona's most dangerous man."
Away from the Bernabeu there are two more potentially crucial matches in La Liga this weekend, one in the fight for a top-four spot and the other to avoid relegation.
At the summit, third-placed Valencia travel to fifth-placed Real Mallorca knowing a victory could all but guarantee them a Champions League berth.
Los Che, who face Atletico Madrid tonight for a place in the Europa League semi-finals, are currently eight points clear of Mallorca and fourth-placed Sevilla, who are at Andalusian neighbours Malaga on Saturday.
At the foot of the standings, new Real Valladolid coach Javier Clemente takes his side to fellow strugglers Tenerife.
Both sides are in the relegation zone, with 18th-placed Tenerife six points adrift of Racing Santander and safety, while Valladolid are a further point back in 19th.
Valladolid have taken just four points from their last seven games and decided this week to sack Onesimo Sanchez after just two months in charge and replace him with former Spain coach Clemente until the end of the season.
Bottom club Xerez will hope to continue their brave fight to avoid the drop but, despite their massively improved recent form, they are still eight points away from salvation as they prepare to welcome mid-table Getafe.
Elsewhere this weekend, Racing go to Deportivo La Coruna, Espanyol host Atletico, Osasuna meet Real Zaragoza, Almeria are at Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal take on Sporting Gijon.
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