Madrid: 'El Clasico' between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona on Sunday night is without doubt the main event of the 26th round of Spanish La Liga matches, but before fans can watch a game that will go some way towards deciding this season's title, there is a lot of football to be played. Madrid entertain Barcelona off the back of a league defeat away to Levante and a home defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League that leaves their European hopes hanging by a thread.
Defeat to Barca would see them fall four points behind their title rivals and open the very real prospect of ending the season without a major trophy for the second consecutive year.
Coach Zinedine Zidane will have to lift his players after Wednesday's European setback and it remains to be seen whether Toni Kroos will be in his side, after the German surprisingly didn't play a single minute against City.
Barca go into the game with injury doubts over key players; Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto are definitely out along with long-term absentees Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele, meaning Nelson Semedo and Junior Firpo will be the full-backs. Meanwhile, Gerard Pique is also a doubt after twisting his ankle in the last minute of Barca's 1-1 draw away to Napoli on Tuesday.
Real Madrid will certainly look to cause problems down Junior's flank and Pique's absence will make Barca's defence look distinctly vulnerable, although Lionel Messi will look to have the last word up front. IANS
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