Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: What to Expect from La Liga Clasico on Saturday

A Clasico, is a Clasico, is a Clasico.

But is there ever a case where a Clasico is not a Clasico?

Probably not, but Saturday's version may have a fairly good attempt—The Guardian's Sid Lowe described it as possibly being the most decaffeinated meeting between Real Madrid and Barcelona in recent times.

Let's take a look at the context of the fixture, what we can expect from each set of management and the match in general...

The Background

Barcelona, it is widely accepted, have the league wrapped up. They sit 12 points ahead of Atletico Madrid and a further a four ahead of Los Blancos—even Jose Mourinho seems to have given up the ghost (via The Independent):

"The La Liga title is impossible now, there is too big a gap. We have to focus on other goals like the Copa del Rey and the Champions League."

Had they lost last night's Copa del Rey clash—rather than winning 3-1 to advance to the final—they may have felt the need to restore some pride, instead it is highly likely they will rotate with Manchester United in mind.

With "La Decima" up for grabs still and a cup final place already in the bag, it would be futile to go out all guns blazing against Barcelona and risk injuries. Particularly when they play in the Champions League just three days later.

Barcelona have a longer wait until their Champions League day of reckoning, though, so rotation is not as thrown upon them as it is Madrid.

Real Madrid

Things in football can turn around so quickly, and despite Barcelona's huge advantage over Real Madrid in La Liga, it is the latter that can head into this game with more freedom.

Angel Di Maria will be suspended for La Blaugrana's visit this weekend following his red card against Deportivo la Coruna last time out in the league.

Xabi Alonso is still not 100 percent fit, so there are already two changes Jose Mourinho will certainly make.

Elsewhere it is expected the Portuguese coach will deploy a similar side to the one that started the 2-1 win against Deportivo la Coruna.

That would mean Luka Modric, Michael Essien, Pepe, Kaka and Marcelo may be involved from the start.

Up front, in the central No. 9 position, Karim Benzema may return to the fore in front of Gonzalo Higuain.

Barcelona

"No Excuses" offered the front page of Mundo Deportivo this morning, and people will expect a Barcelona recovery in the capital this weekend.

With their Champions League hopes against Milan hanging in the balance, they will have to wait an extra week to decide their fate, meaning that Jordi Roura is under less strain to rotate for the clash.

Given it was the same outfield 10 that crumbled against both Milan and Madrid, Roura—no doubt with the recovering Tito Vilanova's input—will probably look to make some constructive changes.

Victor Valdes will be back in goal, and Javier Mascherano will probably earn a start in defense, but it is in the attacking phases that Barca have lacked a threat.

After Tuesday's clash, Cesc Fabregas's position is under threat, and with Andres Iniesta continuing to look more incisive when moved centrally later in games, it may be that the 28-year-old moves back inside from the start.

Xavi has just recovered from an injury and doesn't yet look fully fit, while Pedro hasn't offered the big-game edge he once so commonly did.

Waiting in the wings are David Villa and Cristian Tello. Both contributed to Barca's win against Sevilla, which demonstrated they could play with more width.

Elsewhere, Adriano and Thiago Alcantara may be pushing for starts, but with pride to be restored, La Blaugrana may not opt for wholesale changes.

The Match

The cast may be slightly varied, but make no mistakes, Saturday will still be your typical Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match.

Barca will be hurting after the Copa del Rey defeat and, coupled with the defeat in the San Siro last week, will be keen to make amends.

Despite the talk of them already winning the title, a win at the Bernabeu will almost guarantee that they will regain the crown they lost to Los Blancos last year.

With a Copa del Rey final to look forward to and Manchester United on Tuesday, Real Madrid may well have their minds elsewhere.

It has always been build as the "lesser" of the three fixtures in Madrid's week and takes on less significance given the win last night.

Barcelona will impose their normal possession game, and there will be no radical tactical changes, but without Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo—if he's rested like against Deportivo—will Real Madrid be as effective on the counterattack?