Real Madrid go into the El Clasico four points clear of their arch rivals, knowing that a win would eliminate the Catalans from the title chase.

Barcelona, on the other hand, have got to try and win at the Bernabeu to keep their title hopes alive, which is enough to suggest we will see a cracking encounter on Sunday evening.

Despite some early season struggles, Real Madrid are on the road to turn this season into one of the most successful ones in recent history.

Los Blancos have already made it to the Champions League quarter-finals and Copa del Rey final, while they are also in the driving seat in La Liga.

Back to back triumphs over Levante and Malaga ensured they remain three and four points clear of Atletico and Barcelona with just ten games to go.

And having continued the winning run in the return leg against Schalke, Real Madrid have been made 2.25 (5/4) favourites to win El Clasico.

Carlo Ancelotti has received some good news this week as both Karim Benzema and Pepe resumed full training, meaning they are likely to start.

Jese Rodriguez has been ruled out of the season, whereas Sami Khedira and Alvaro Arbeloa continue to miss out.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Lopez – Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo – Modric, Alonso, Di Maria – Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Barcelona find themselves in a very difficult situation, with many people suggesting the team are already past their prime.

The Catalans have indeed suffered more slip-ups than in previous seasons, but the fact they are still in the race for three major trophies is enough to suggest not everything is doom and gloom.

Barcelona officials were not too happy when finding out that Atletico would be their next opponents in the Champions League, but there will be plenty of time to prepare for that tie.

With Tata Martino’s side trailing Real Madrid four points in the league, the Catalans desperately need to win at Santiago Bernabeu and they are 3.30 (23/10) to do so.

Having scored a hat-trick in the 7-0 triumph over Osasuna, Leo Messi is 2.16 (29/25) with Unibet to score at any time.

Carles Puyol is unlikely to recover in time to make the match squad, whilst Isaac Cuenca and Jonathan Dos Santos are long-term casualties.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Valdes – Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba – Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta – Neymar, Messi, Fabregas.