Real Madrid - Barcelona (Pre-Match Copa del Rey)

Yet again, as it has been happening all too often, Real Madrid and Barcelona will meet again (for the first time in 2012) during the Quarter Finals of the Copa del Rey.

Little is left to say or do before the starting whistle and no one really knows what to possibly expect.

REAL MADRID'S ROAD TO THIS GAME:

Ponferradina 0-2 Real Madrid

Real Madrid 5-1 Ponferradina

Real Madrid 3-2 Malaga

Malaga 0-1 Real Madrid

BARCELONA'S ROAD TO THIS GAME:

L'Hospitalet 0-1 Barcelona

Barcelona 9-0 L'Hospitalet

Barcelona 4-0 Osasuna

Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona

From the looks of things, seems as though Barcelona may have the upper hand if we only take this competition. But, with everything, I don't think its a matter of who has the upper hand, its simply about the nerves and who is able to deal with the pressure better.

Last month, these two teams played against each other for the first meeting in the league. If Real Madrid won, they would be six points ahead of Barcelona and that would give them a lot of breathing space. Overall, Barcelona were the team who had more pressure on them. In the end (except for the first 15 minutes or so), Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-1.

Real Madrid need this win. Not only for the chance of progressing, but also just the idea of getting a much-needed win against their rivals. If not for themselves, then at least to the fans. And I really doubt that Jose Mourinho will want to take more criticism than he already is at the moment. So, I feel Real Madrid need this win more that Barcelona do but that's really not going to make a difference when the game begins. The team who plays best on the night will win. It's that simple. Well, usually it's that simple; nothing can really be too definite when you play against them...

My Expected Line-up:

Iker Casillas

Lassana Diarra; Sergio Ramos; Raul Albiol/Pepe; Marcelo

Xabi Alonso, Fabio Coentrao; Mesut Ozil; Jose Callejon/Angel Di Maria; Cristiano Ronaldo

Karim Benzema

Hala Madrid!!