Next Sunday’s El Clasico fixture at the Camp Nou could be a defining match in the La Liga title race. Barcelona sit nine points clear currently, but if results go against them this weekend, the gap could be six by next weekend.
Real Madrid still harbour slim hopes of retaining their crown, but a win in Catalonia will be essential as they look to close the gap to Xavi Hernandez’s side. Firstly, they must face Barcelona’s city rivals, Espanyol, whom they play on Saturday.
Despite their Champions League last 16 second leg against Liverpool being just four days later, Carlo Ancelotti is not expected to rotate much against Espanyol. Both Nacho Fernandez and Eduardo Camavinga are in contention to start, although a yellow card for either would see them miss El Clasico.
Both players sit on four yellow cards in La Liga, and with the pair being Ancelotti’s only two fit left back options at present, their absence could be massive against Barcelona, although Ferland Mendy is expected to be fit for the trip next week.
Barcelona have their own similar issues, with four players walking a suspension tightrope, meaning that both them and Real Madrid could be without important players for the crunch match next Sunday.
We are suppose to win that match against Barcelona