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The football world will once again be transfixed by the clash of Real Madrid and Barcelona on Wednesday night as the Copa del Rey quarter-final provides the backdrop for El Clasico. The two sides have already met thrice this season, with the Catalans coming out on top in both the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga encounters. But despite those two setbacks, Madrid hold a five-point lead over their fierce rivals in La Liga and are now favourites to capture the title after a gap of four years.

Pep Guardiola's side have generally come out on top in these fixtures though, losing only one of the last twelve head-to-heads. Coincidentally that sole defeat came in last season's Copa del Rey final when Cristiano Ronaldo's extra time goal gave Jose Mourinho's men their first Copa del Rey trophy since 1993.

Real Madrid

Madrid have enjoyed a brilliant season so far, winning 15 of their 18 La Liga games while plundering 63 goals in the process and now at the mid-way stage of the season they enjoy a five-point lead at the top of the table. But that record lost its sheen on 10th December when Barcelona headed to the Santiago Bernabeu as underdogs, but came away with their pride intact along with three points. The 3-1 defeat ended Madrid's 15-match winning run in all competitions and raised further questions regarding the temperament of Mourinho's outfit.

But the Madrid juggernaut has seemingly stayed on course despite that setback, winning seven games on the bounce since. There has been turmoil in the capital club though, mostly surrounding one Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite scoring a ridiculous 112 goals in 116 appearances in the famous white of Madrid, fans have been on the back of the former Manchester United star, blaming him for the loss to Barca. Mourinho has been quick to support his player, who will undoubtedly be under huge pressure to perform after scoring only once in the last four outings.

Its almost as if Madrid stand to be validated by their rivals every time they go an a long run and over the two legs of the quarter-finals, Mourinho & the rest of the world will find out more about the new generation of Galacticos.

Barcelona

Barcelona captured the World Club Cup in December, they beat their closest rivals away from home and their best player picked up his 3rd straight Ballon d'Or gong last week. But critics have been less than satisfied with their performances, a point emphasized by the lead enjoyed by Madrid at the top. They have had to scrap for points in recent weeks, with the draw against Espnayol epitomizing their struggles. The Catalans conceded a late goal to drop two vital points at their local rivals and they still seemed to be suffering from that hangover as they found themselves drawing 2-2 at home to Real Betis last weekend. But luckily for Guardiola's men, Betis had a man sent-off and Barca then took due advantage to seal a late victory.

It has been a paradox of sorts for Barca as they have progressed as an attacking force due the emergence of Alexis Sanchez and the versatility offered by Cesc Fabregas playing in the 'false 9' position. But their tendency to concede goals has cost them more than once this season, especially away from home. They have drawn four and lost one of their eight away games this season, conceding nine goals in the process. Their troubles away from home are in stark contrast to Madrid, who have dropped just four points on their travels this season.

Head-to-Head:

10th Dec, 2011: Real Madrid 1-3 Barcelona
17th Aug, 2011: Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid

Form Guide:

Real Madrid: WWWWW

14th Jan, 2012: Mallorca 1-2 Real Madrid
10th Jan, 2012: Malaga 0-1 Real Madrid (Copa del Rey)
7th Jan, 2012: Real Madrid 5-1 Granada
3rd Jan, 2012: Real Madrid 3-2 Malaga
20th Dec, 2011: Real Madrid 5-1 Ponferradina (Copa del Rey)

Barcelona: WWDWW

15th Jan, 2012: Barcelona 4-2 Real Betis
12th Jan, 2012: Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona (Copa del Rey)
8th Jan, 2012: Espanyol 1-1 Barcelona
4th Jan, 2012: Barcelona 4-0 Osasuna
22nd Dec, 2012: Barcelona 9-0 Hospitalet (Copa del Rey)

Probable Line-Ups:

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas (Gk), Coentrao, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Alonso, Diarra, Ozil, Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, Benzema

The back five more or less picks itself, with Iker Casillas starting in goal while Fabio Coentrao, Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo complete the back four. Sami Khedira is out for a month with an ankle injury, so Lassana Diarra should continue alongside Xabi Alonso in central midfield. Angel Di Maria has missed the last few games with a thigh strain, but he should return on Wednesday night to take his place on the wing. Ozil will support Karim Benzema from midfield while Ronaldo should pop-up all across the front line.

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes (Gk), Alves, Puyol, Pique, Abidal, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Sanchez, Fabregas, Messi

Barcelona do not have any major injury worries ahead of the game as Guardiola should put out his best eleven. Dani Alves will once again be an important outlet on the right as Barca more often that not shift to a back three of Carles Puyol, Gerald Pique & Eric Abidal. Sergio Busquets will sit deep in midfield to protect the defence while Xavi Hernandez & Andres Iniesta link-up with the attack. Lionel Messi and Sanchez have the skill to cause considerable damage to Madrid's defence while Fabregas will be the man making runs into the box.

Prediction: For all of Madrid's endeavours this season, they have come up short against the Catalans time & time again. Madrid's tactic of employing a high defence line has backfired on them when they lose their shape, thus allowing the spare attacker to run into space. Ronaldo was disappointing in the last battle as Messi once again shone the brightest and if Madrid are to take anything to the 2nd leg at the Nou Camp, the Portuguese star has to deliver.

Predicted Score: Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona

File Photograph Copyright: Steindy

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