Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, Gareth Bale, Barcelona, El Clasico 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale during a training session, April 22, 2017Reuters

Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi – one of the biggest games and contests of any season, anywhere around the world. Add the fact that the result will have a big bearing on who wins the La Liga title this season, everything just gets cranked up that little bit more.

Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid have made most of the running so far in the La Liga, and currently lead Barcelona by three points, having played a game less.

So, if Real Madrid were to beat Barcelona on Sunday, the title will, most likely, go to Madrid.

However, if Barca manage to come away from the Bernabeu with all three points, the La Liga title race will be back on, with the race likely to go till the final game of the season.

"We'll need to put in a great performance to win the game," Real Madrid manager Zidane said. "We're used to these kinds of matches, it's just another game and it's very important for us. There's a lot of fatigue over the course of the season but we're eager to keep moving in the same direction.

"We're playing against a great side and we'll need to start the game strongly and give it our all. Whatever happens, this will not be a decisive clash. We've got seven finals still to play and this is the first of those.

"We'll take it game by game because every single one is crucial. There are people who think we're over-confident but that's not the case. We're fully focussed and not looking any further ahead."

Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Real Madrid, El Clasico 2017, Luis Enrique
Lionel Messi will be the key man, as he always is, for BarcelonaReuters

Barcelona, who are still hopeful of having Neymar in the team, will know the pressure is more on them to go for the win. With the lead – assuming Real Madrid win their game in hand – basically at six points at the moment, Barca are the ones who need the win more than Real Madrid.

That means more pressure and more need to go on the attack, which could then leave them susceptible to a counter-attack.

"There is no better place for a Barca win than the Santiago Bernabeu," Barcelona manager Luis Enrique said. "It is a final for us".

"It is an extra motivation to be able to catch up with Real Madrid," Luis Enrique stated, before adding that "it is a decisive game with the competition nearing its end, it could almost end the league or leave the door open."

When and where to watch live

Real Madrid vs Barcelona El Clasico 2017 is set to begin at 8.45pm CET (2.45pm ET, 7.45pm BST, 12.15am IST). TV and live streaming information.

India: TV: Sony Six/HD, Sony ESPN/HD and Ten 1. Live Streaming: Sonyliv.

 

Spain: TV: Movistar.

 

UK: TV: Sky Sports 1. Live Streaming: Watch Sky Sports.

 

USA, Canada, Australia, Middle East, North Africa, France: TV: Bein Sports. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.