El Clasico on the Horizon

The first El Clasico of the 2013/14 season is on the horizon and it is one of the most anticipated for a long time. Both clubs have new star signings, both clubs have some of the best players in the world, but both have stuttered at the start of this season. Real Madrid have scraped wins against weaker opposition, lost to the city rivals Atletico Madrid, and drawn with Villarreal. Not the performances you expect from a team the size of Real Madrid. They lie in 3rd place in La Liga, with a chance to go level on points with Barcelona by winning at the Camp Nou. Although the Catalans occupy the top spot in the table, they haven't played brilliantly either. In their last two fixtures they have only managed draws against Osasuna and AC Milan. They seem to lost the cutting edge that has made them the dominant force in Europe over the last few years.

It is fair to say that neither side has performed at the start of this season, but both teams will perform on the biggest stage. Four of the greatest players on the planet will be playing in that game, this is without including Xavi, Iniesta, Modric et al. Bale, Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo should all be taking to the pitch of the Camp Nou. Bale and Messi are both recovering from injuries, Neymar is just starting to click in the Barcelona set up but Ronaldo has been in imperious form all season. So only one of the headline acts is really playing well at the moment, but big games are were big players perform. For Bale and Neymar, it will be a completely new experience, will they be overawed or will they step up to the plate.

Real Madrid won 3-1 last out at the Camp Nou, but will they be able to repeat the feat. The atmosphere is always electric, 95,000 people watched the last Clasico. The biggest game of the year so far is only two days away, make sure you're watching on Saturday night because it is always feisty occasion and packed with drama. Everyone will be crossing their fingers that that the top players hit form and show what they can do. The Catalan-Spanish rivalry will be flowing on Saturday night and if Barcelona's motto is "Mes Que Un Club" - "More than a Club", then this is more than a game to Spaniards.