So there's 4 of these in the next few weeks, care to make a prediction on who's going to come out on top? Needed a poll for this therefore new thread. First match is this Saturday in La Liga. Real v Barca. Good game for Real to get their eye in ahead of the cup competitions.

Spain gears up for El Clasico

 

Real Madrid and Barcelona will embark upon an intriguing four-game showdown on Saturday as the season approaches its climax.

 

 

The two sides will meet in the Primera Division this weekend with the title effectively at stake, before clashing again in the Copa Del Rey final next Wednesday and then a two-legged Champions League semi-final.

 

Pep Guardiola's men boast an impressive recent record in El Clasico matches, with the current coach having won all five of his encounters with Madrid - the last of them a stunning 5-0 demolition job at the Camp Nou in November which ended Jose Mourinho's unbeaten start.

 

An extension of that record at the Bernabeu this weekend would all but secure the title with Madrid currently trailing the leaders by eight points.

 

Guardiola has urged his players to enjoy what lies ahead during the remaining weeks of the season as they chase a Treble, and central defender Gerard Pique intends to do just that.

 

He told AS: "What remains is a celebration of football. We have to enjoy our remaining matches because you can say we have done our homework and we are where we wanted to be at the beginning of the season.

 

"We are lucky enough to play the decisive matches of the year and be able to fulfil our dreams to get the titles."

 

Mourinho has been boosted in recent weeks by the return from injury of Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain and Kaka, while Guardiola, who will be without suspended midfielder Javier Mascherano at the weekend, has seen his squad depleted by fitness problems which have cost him the services of defenders Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal in particular.

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/906861/la-liga:-spain-gears-up-for-el-clasico?cc=5739

that poll gave me a headache. So there's the short version

I think if Mourinho loses all 4 matches to Barcelona in the next week then it will add at least 20 year on to his life! I think Barca will win both domestic competitions but I think they should be very weary about the Champions League tie. But I'd still be surprised if it wasn't a repeat of the 2009 final in that competition.

gooooo Madrid!

really nervous about the games. With barca having problems at the back ( Puyol and Abidal injured/recovering and Mascherano suspended), while Madrid have all their key players fit (I think) for the upcoming games (and eeeer... Villa not scoring. :\ ). :( I'm still gonna vote for Barca winning everything but the games will be really tough for them. :|

Honestly, I want Real Madrid to at least win one even though I prefer Barcelona.

Watching El Clasico part 1 and it's all Barcelona possession football. Not created too many chances though. Real positioned well defensively and look set for a quick rapid break when they do get the ball.

Barcelona to win 3 out of the 4, drawing the 4th

League match drawn: I got the first result right.

 

Real will win the Copa del Rey match and Barça will win the CL draw.

i love this!

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLGiwXnijOE&NR=1]YouTube - victor valdes is trying to speak english with ibrahim afellay! + translation[/ame]

^love that, too. :awesome:

 

pep should've rested puyol last night. hopefully, him and adriano will be available for the copa finals. :|

Well my poll option is on for happening.

Barca to win the remaining 3 for my prediction to come true.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f7neSzDqvc&feature=share]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f7neSzDqvc&feature=share[/ame]

Real to win the Champions League, I would liek them to win it all but it won't happen.

Real to win the Champions League, I would liek them to win it all but it won't happen.

 

I wouldn't. I think Mourinho's had enough success of late to massage his ego.

I wouldn't. I think Mourinho's had enough success of late to massage his ego.

 

I think he could do with a little more and not that I have anything against Barca at all, in fact I have huge respect for them but I would like want Mourinho to succed with Real.

I like Mourinho.

I think he could do with a little more and not that I have anything against Barca at all, in fact I have huge respect for them but I would like want Mourinho to succed with Real.

 

Win something only to get the sack!

I think they would be foolish to sack him.

I'm pretty sure they don't like him though.

And they did sack Capello.

I'm pretty sure they don't like him though.

And they did sack Capello.

 

Happened twice to Capello. In 97 after he had won the league then of course a decade later and as far as I know he was sacked both times for the same reason - style of football not attractive enough. Also Del Bosque in 2003 who also won the league and a year after winning the CL at Hampden. So yeah Mourinho has a lot to worry about.

dp

Copa Del Rey final 70 mins

 

disallowed goal for Barca, absolutely wonderful build up by Messi. would have been a goal fit to win any match but its still 0-0