El Clasico: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Madrid are rolling. Since a 0-0 draw to Racing Santander on Sept. 18, they have won 15 straight in all competitions, outscoring opponents 57-9 in the process. They have a three-point lead on Barcelona at the top of the Primera Liga, but that three-point lead is with a game in hand. Should Real Madrid win, their lead would be six points, with a potential to make it nine. At the rate these clubs drop points, that would be virtually unassailable.

For Barcelona, it has been a tale of two seasons. At home, they have been dominant. They are 8-0-1 and have outscored teams 39-0. They have won their last four by a margin of 18-0. On the road, they have won just two of six matches and have a goal margin of 8-7. This game, unfortunately, is in Madrid.

Barcelona will do what they do. Hold possesion, suffocate and try to score. The big question is whether playing Madrid will be enough to rouse them from their complacency away from the Camp Nou. Real Madrid will be coping with a tactical switch. They have been assassinating in a 4-2-3-1 with three dynamic offensive players behind the striker. Against Barcelona, though, Mourinho almost undoubtedly will opt for a 4-3-3 with a more robust midfield of Xabi Alonso, Khedeira and Diarra. That’s not necessarily a defensive move. Madrid are at their finest filleting teams on the counterattack.

For the first time in recent memory, Barcelona would do well to get a draw here. Keeping an eye on the secondary race, Ronaldo and Messi are tied with 17 league goals each.

[Photo via Getty]