• Barcelona can essentially secure the Liga title in pivotal Copa Clasico.
• They will move 12 points ahead of the champions.
• Barcelona’s elimination from the Champions League group.

If Barcelona defeats Real Madrid in the Clasico on Sunday, they will move 12 points ahead of the champions, putting them one step closer to winning La Liga.

Since Ernesto Valverde took over in 2019, the Catalans haven’t won the Spanish title, and extending their lead over their bitter rivals in second would almost guarantee it.

In October, Madrid prevailed 3-1 in the inaugural La Liga Clasico, but Xavi’s team has progressed significantly since then.

The coach wants the team to win the league because it shows the team’s progress and would be a quick return on their investment from last summer.

In a move that some criticized as gambling with the club’s future, Barcelona signed Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Raphinha, and other players despite their financial crisis by selling off future television rights.

Barcelona’s elimination from the Champions League group stage and Manchester United’s elimination from the Europa League confirmed that while they have made significant progress, they still have a long way to go.

Xavi won his first trophy as coach by defeating Real Madrid 3-1 in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia in January. The performance was dominant.

In contrast, when the teams met earlier in March for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, Madrid had the advantage, but Barcelona still managed to win 1-0.

Xavi must make a significant decision regarding the Catalans’ approach to this Clasico.

A similar defensive performance may not go over well with Camp Nou fans, who will expect Barcelona to take more control.

If Pedri, the master of the midfield, is healthy, that will be a lot easier.

It would appear that Barcelona would be virtually unable to play possession football without the Canary Islander, who is already indispensable for club and country at the age of 20.

Since Pedri has been out with a thigh injury for six games in all competitions, Barcelona has won when they have relied on their solid defense.

Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema both scored goals in the Copa Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Vinicius Junior has been restrained by Ronald Araujo in recent matches against Barcelona.

In order to compete with the Brazilian winger, Xavi typically places the Uruguayan center back at right back against Madrid.

Barcelona has discovered that Madrid’s attack is significantly less risky when Vinicius is disabled.

After Madrid’s midweek Champions League victory over Liverpool, coach Carlo Ancelotti said, “For me, he is the best in the world,” backing Vinicius wholeheartedly.

If Vinicius, on the other hand, keeps quiet, Madrid may need to show that they have other routes to the goal.

The winger set up Benzema as Los Blancos defeated Liverpool 1-0 on Wednesday to advance 6-2 overall to the Champions League quarterfinals.

It was a strong performance that demonstrates that the Spanish and European champions can deliver when it matters most.

The chance to slice the hole on Barcelona to six focuses at the highest point of La Liga could re-light the title race, yet the record 14-time European heroes’ principal objective is holding that prize.

After Madrid beat Liverpool, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said, “We have to continue with this rhythm, playing like we’ve played today, and I hope it’s like that in the Clasico, we have to win.”

After suffering a shin injury against the Reds, Benzema is expected to return to action, but Ousmane Dembele, his teammate, is still out for Barcelona.

Madrid will have to do something that only one other La Liga team has done all season: score against the hosts at Camp Nou in order to upset the Catalans.

In December, Espanyol’s Joselu scored from a penalty kick, but no other player in the top flight has scored from open play at Barcelona’s stadium this season.

Player to watch: Sergi Darder The midfielder for Espanyol, Sergi Darder, has been crucial to his team’s efforts to avoid relegation this season. With Espanyol one point above the drop zone and hosting Celta Vigo on Saturday, his team must win.

Key details
19 – Pedri, expecting to return on Sunday, drives La Liga for most through balls played

54 — No player has made a larger number of tackles this season in Spain than Celta Vigo’s Javi Galan

100 — Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma has been the most active in La Liga with hundred years of recoveries

Fixtures (all times GMT)

Friday

Real Valladolid v Athletic Bilbao (2000)

Saturday

Almeria v Cadiz (1300), Rayo Vallecano v Girona (1515), Espanyol v Celta Vigo (1730), Atletico Madrid v Valencia (2000)

Sunday

Real Betis v Real Mallorca (1300), Osasuna v Villarreal (1515), Real Sociedad v Elche (1515), Getafe v Sevilla (1730), Barcelona v Real Madrid (2000)

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