El Clasico building up to be a crucial tie decider

Real Madrid can cap off a big week by mathematically stretching their lead at the summit of La Liga when they host rivals Barcelona in the El Clasico at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

There are 8 points between Real Madrid and Barcelona, and a win for Real Madrid could increase it to 11 points with about six matches left in the season after the fixture. A win for Barcelona will reduce the point cap to five points, leaving the remaining fixtures in La Liga important in the title race.

Interestingly, both teams had different lucks for their respective UEFA Champions League fixtures during the week, with Real Madrid defeating Manchester City on penalties after a 4-4 draw on aggregate and extra time.

Barcelona had a 3-2 lead from the first leg against PSG, but Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe were in top form to reverse the deficit in a 4-1 win against a ten-man Barcelona in Catalonia to send Xavi’s men out of the competition.

The loss means that Barcelona’s only chance of winning a trophy in Xavi’s last season as Barcelona’s head coach, after he announced his impending exit, is the La Liga, which is only a mathematical possibility for now.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid is the favorite in this fixture, especially after winning the last two times both teams played this season, winning the first leg 2-1 at the Olympics stadium, which Barcelona currently calls home, and the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia 4-1.

Matchday 32 of the La Liga resumes on Friday with Copa Del Rey champions Athletic Club hosting Granada. On Saturday, Las Palmas traveled to Celta Vigo, Rayo Valecano, and Osasuna to trade tackles.

Valencia will face Real Betis and Girona play Cadiz. Sunday’s fixtures will see Atletico Madrid travel to Alaves after their European ouster, Getafe plays Sociedad, and Almeria host Villarreal.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu