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Messi & Ronaldo
It is going to be a battle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Reuters

Barcelona host Real Madrid in a season defining El Clasico at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is set for 8pm GMT. Live coverage of the game will be on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD.

Overview

Barcelona are currently a point atop Madrid in the race for the La Liga title and a win here will take them four points clear and ostensibly through a clear road ahead to clinch the league. Lionel Messi is likely to play a key role in the fixture, after his superlative performance against Manchester City in the midweek, where if not for Joe Hart's heroics, the Argentine could have helped himself to more than a hat-trick.

However, it was Ivan Rakitic's goal which was the decisive factor between the two teams but the whole world joined together to sing praises of Messi, who is slowly but surely overshooting Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of what has been billed as the most important game of the season.

The Catalans are slightly lightweight in the midfield with the absence of Sergio Busquets, who is nursing an ankle injury and will be out of the clash.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid come into the fixture on the back of a seven-day gap, owing to the lack of Champions League football in the midweek. Carlo Ancelotti's men will be looking to play a high pressing game and tire the opposition so that they can capitalise on their escapades in the midweek. It is a must win game for Madrid, failing which it will become difficult for the European Champions to reclaim the title.

What managers say

Luis Enrique: "Generally, we have to think that in this type of game there aren't favourites," he told a press conference on Saturday. "There is a lot at stake and the two teams have players that are out of this world. Playing at home is important, though, because it can help in terms of motivation and intensity."

Carlo Ancelotti: "My personality has helped me to be patient... some say I have patience without limits, but there is a limit. However, I feel good, I have felt good, and I will feel good. I know how this world is, and that I must have a cool head in relations with everyone, with players, journalists and everyone at the club. We have not played well recently, not been on a good run, but my confidence in the players remains total. I do not feel my future is on the line. It is an important game for all Madridistas, for the club, as it is for Barcelona."

Betting odds

  • Barcelona win: 7/11
  • Draw: 7/2
  • Real Madrid win: 15/4

Team news

Barcelona

Possible XI: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Mascherano, Iniesta, Rakitic; Neymar, Messi, Suarez.

Real Madrid

Possible XI: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Barcelona FC Real Madrid