We have an Old-Firm derby this weekend with Rangers hosting Celtic at Ibrox. These two rivals are neck and neck in the title race with just 5 games remaining.
Celtic currently lead the table by a point from Rangers who have 76 points. A win for Rangers will move them 2 points clear while a win for Celtic will move them 4 points clear of their arch-rivals.
How things change in a year?. Almost exactly a year ago Real Madrid played Barcelona at the Santiago Bernebeu having just sealed a 31st league title and strolled to a 4-1 win over the Catalans. But a year later Barcelona came to the same venue 4 points clear.
Gonzalo Higuaín, who scored in last year's game gave Real Madrid the perfect start on 13 minutes and Real were on course for the win. But Thierry Henry levelled on 17 minutes for Barcelona. Three minutes later Carles Puyol put Barcelona in front. That goal silenced the Bernebeu.
Lionel Messi made it 1-3 on 35 minutes as Barcelona were playing Real Madrid around the place. Real Madrid did get a lifeline however when Sergio Ramos scored on 55 minutes. But Thierry Henry made the most of defensive blunder by Real Madrid and poked the ball past the on rushing Iker Casillas to send Barcelona into a 2-4 lead. Lionel Messi then made it 2-5 when poking past Iker Casillas at the near post. There was time for Gerard Piqué to turn and shoot and score to make it 2-6 and also notch up a landmark. Piqué's goal was Barcelona's 100th La Liga goal this season and with 4 games left they have a chance to beat the record of 107 set by Real Madrid.
This Saturday Real Madrid host Barcelona in what should be one of the most exciting clásicos in years. This game has a history of deciding the title but this year Real Madrid come into the game 4 points behind Barcelona after 34 games in La Liga.
Real Madrid: A win for Real Madrid will put them within a point of their Catalan rivals but coach Juande Ramos who has been unbeaten in La Liga since these two last met in December, wants a performance against Barcelona. Guti is out with an injury while Arjen Robben has recovered from a Calf injury but whether he will be risked in this game is anybodies guess. Raúl who scored a hat-trick last week against Sevilla could start up front with Klaas Huntelaar with Gonzalo Higuaín moving out right.
Barcelona: Barcelona come into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw against Chelsea in the champions-league on Tuesday. Rafael Márquez is definetly out of the Clásico after injuring his meniscus in his knee on Tuesday. Martin Cáceres will be on the bench after a disappointing season while Carles Puyol may be partnered in defence by Gerard Piqué with Éric Abidal and Daniel Alves out in left and right back. Lionel Messi could start but with a champions league semi on Wednesday will Josep Guardiola risk some of his players?
