However, for the first time in a wee while, it is Barcelona who must win to keep their title hopes alive, going into this game 4 points behind their greatest rivals from the capital - not only that they are a point behind the other club from the capital city.
Indeed, defeat at the Bernabeu will surely end any realistic chance of the Catalans retaining the league title for the season as they will be 7 points behind Real Madrid, effectively turning the title race into a two-horse Madrid race.
A bit like Manchester back in 2012 then when City and United were hammer and thongs for the title then.
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona are coming into this on very hot recent form with Barcelona having scored 7 goals past Osasuna at the Camp Nou in their last game while Real Madrid just got past Malaga the day before.
However, it is Real Madrid who are definitely the form side and the slight favourites having been unbeaten since October 2013 when they lost to their visitors on Sunday in the reverse fixture. On the other hand, Barcelona's form has been inconsistent to say the least, with defeats to Real Valladolid, Real Sociedad and Valencia in the last couple of weeks doing significant damage to their title aspirations.
Nevertheless, form has never been a particularly great indicator of what happens in El Clasico and the usual passions will be aroused and in play especially considering that so much is at stake.
Likewise, don't expect too many goals here even if these should be plenty of great skill and technical play on display.
Barcelona will go for the win but a draw wouldn't be the worst result for them, ensuring that the gap remains at 4 points - and hope that Real Madrid will eventually slip up under pressure from Barca and Atletico Madrid.
My prediction? 1-1 draw - a good result for those wanting this riveting La Liga title race to go right to the final day.
Anyway, here are highlights from the reverse fixture last year and from other previous El Clasico!
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