Barcelona v Real Madrid!

The first el Derby of the season kicks off on Saturday evening when Real Madrid travel to the Camp Nou to take on Barcelona.

With Barcelona sitting on top of the table 3 points ahead of Real Madrid, this is one game that Real Madrid would love to win as it would put them right back in the La Liga title race - although a draw would be a pretty good result at the Camp Nou and would still keep them in touch.

Defeat for Real Madrid against their biggest archenemies on Saturday evening will be disastrous though - psychologically it would be a big obstacle in their challenge for the title even if 6 points at this stage of the season is easily surmountable.

It'll be Bale's first El Derby - not a patch on Arsenal v Tottenham eh?

It's simply because of Real Madrid's slow start and their form being not as good as Barca's right now - Real Madrid have really battled to victory in many games this season and the team with plenty of new but talented stars is still trying to gel together.

Mind you, there is the match at the Bernabeu in 4 or so months time so by that time, the likes of Gareth Bale, Asier Illharamendi and Daniel Carvajal, will be up and running.

In the most intriguing start to La Liga for a while, Atletico Madrid are also a key factor in this match - or rather could be a key benefactor depending on results.

Diego Costa - he has taken over from Falcao as Atletico's talisman

A draw at the Camp Nou and victory for Atletico would see Atletico - a point behind Barca going into this game - take the lead of La Liga with victory at home against Real Betis - and you wouldn't really bet against Atletico on their form and Betis who are currently in woeful form, unable to win at home or away.

It's quite possible that Barca can only get a draw - Messi is still recovering from injury and it seems that the goals have dried up a bit for Barca at the moment with their failure to break down Osasuna last Saturday and Milan in midweek - albeit both away from home. Indeed, the signs were sort of coming in the last home game against Valladolid before the international break with Barca only pulling away at the end.

Have Barca become far too dependent on Messi? It's a very plausible case and expect Ancelotti, who has lots of experience against this Barca tikka-takka team to probably crowd out Messi and snub him as a threat meaning Iniesta and Xavi have to push forward.

Real Madrid could possibly play a counter-attacking game meaning expect a bit of a battle on Saturday night.

But hey, it could be a battle between Ferraris and Lamborghinis rather than one in the trenches.

Bring on El Derby!