Barcelona are streets ahead of Real Madrid in the La Liga. Lionel Messi has so far outshined Cristiano Ronaldo this season. Real Madrid need to get one over their archrivals to reach some semblance of parity.
So many battles, so much at stake; it always is when it comes to the "El Clasico." And Wednesday in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey semifinal at the Bernabeu, fans can expect another cracker of a game.
"A good result would be a win, not a draw," Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets said. "It'll be a close game and I don't think a bad result would sink either team, because there's a way to go before the second leg."
Barcelona have not looked as good as they have this season. The passing game looks to be at its peak and Messi just keeps getting better and better.
With Cesc Fabregas finally coming into his own, the evergreen Xavi Hernandez still running things in midfield and the peerless Andres Iniesta having another wonderful season, the Barca juggernaut shows no sign of stopping in the Spanish league.
Even Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid have not been able to keep pace this season; Atletico Madrid have come the closest, but still lie 11 points adrift in the standings.
However, this is a cup game and anything is possible. While the likes of Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil might not have really found their stride and consistency this season, pound for pound, Real have the squad and the players to beat Barcelona on their day.
The first leg will take place at the Bernabeu, Real's fortress. Mourinho will want to take full advantage of the home crowd's support; a lead will be essential going into the second leg at the Camp Nou.
The onus will be on Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick at the weekend and reached the 300-goal mark in his club career, to give Real the advantage. All the infighting reportedly ongoing between some of the players and Mourinho will be forgotten.
The last "El Clasico" was a classic slugfest, where Real dominated the first half, and Barca the second. This one will be similar, with both teams looking to get that one leg up over their opponent.
Messi will shine, there is no doubt about that. The little Argentine has been breaking records left right and center, and while completing 200 La Liga goals in a four-goal game against Osasuna, he also became the first ever to score in 11 straight Spanish league games.
Ronaldo will need to be better than his great rival if Real are to gain an advantage, with Real ravaged by injuries and suspensions.
Captain Iker Casillas is ruled out with a hand injury, while Pepe will also miss the game with an ankle problem. The issue is compounded by the fact that Sergio Ramos, Angel Di Maria and Fabio Coentrao are all suspended.
"It's a really important game, a complicated game," Ronaldo said. "We're going to play against one of the most difficult sides in the world, so it will be a great night.
"We're playing at home, which is a great opportunity to have a successful match. We'll be missing a number of players, key players, who are very important for this squad, but that's not an excuse, we have to play well because Barca is an amazing team.
"I hope that it's a great night for us and we're ready for the big match."
Expected lineups: Real Madrid: Adan; Arbeloa, Varane, Carvalho, Marcelo; Alonso, Khedira; Callejon, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema.
Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Pedro, Messi, Iniesta.
Prediction: 2-2
