In the first of the four highly anticipated El Clasicos, Real Madrid face a do or die match to revive their faltering La lIga title hopes this season. As things stands, Barcelona� enjoy a supeiror eight point lead at the top and with agmes running out for the Madrid side, they definitely have to win this game at all costs. In the reverse fixture last year, Barcelona thrash Mourinho and Co 5-0 at the Nou Camp and they were simply dominant in that game. Mourinho's home record though reads impressively, with only 1 loss during his coaching tenure in Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid thus far.

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Tactically, Mourinho definitely has the upperhand over Guardiola and I really do expect them to overturn their losing 5 game steak against their arch-rivals. The form guide usually goes out of the way in such encounters but one thing to take note is that even though Barcelona have won quite comfortably on their recent travels, they have only scored one away goal in 6 of their last 7. Messi and Iniesta may have previously stealed the show last November, but I think Ronaldo will be the star figure in todays match-up.

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Pick: Real Madrid