Clash of the Giants: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona

Pep Guardiola said, when asked about Messi's four-goal haul on Tuesday night past, that the little Argentinian was the best player he'd ever seen.

At the beginning of the season, after switching to Real Madrid for a world-record 80 million, Cristiano Ronaldo was praised by his former manager as being the best in the world.

On Saturday coming, the last two winners of the prestigious Ballon d'Or will go head to head in an encounter sure to please footballing purists the world over.

Let's, for a minute, forget those two. If the meeting in the Camp Nou earlier in the season is anything to go by, they'll have to rely on their teammates to make the headlines for them.

This game will be won and lost in midfield. The return of Andres Iniesta alongside his Spanish compatriot Xavi will be a huge boost for the Catalans. When those two play, Barcelona never look like surrendering possession.

But Real Madrid's midfield is versatile and full of experience. Pellegrini will likely opt for a diamond of Alonso and Diarra in the middle and Ronaldo and Van der Vaart on the wings. The former two will be expected to stifle Barcelona's creative geniuses.

Up front, there is only one definite. Gonzalo Higuain will start, fitness permitting. The Argentinian is the second top-scorer in La Liga behind Messi. If Benzema is fit, he may start alongside him. On paper, it might be better to load the midfield with five and allow Ronaldo freedom to move from the wings into a central position to partner Higuain. 

Ibrahimovic, it appears, will not start. It's a huge loss for the Catalans. Without a target man, Barcelona will have to be patient and play their passing game to maximum effect. No one does it better, but Madrid will likely form a high line and put constant pressure on the man in possession. 

It'll be a toss-up between Pedro and Bojan for the role of second striker, but it may be a game for Henry. The Frenchman hasn't been at his best this season and needs to find form again. This would be the game to do so.

In the middle of the park, Xavi will find it more difficult than he did against Arsenal on Tuesday. He and Iniesta will need to be patient to break down a Madrid team who will be determined to avenge last year's 6-2 mauling at the Bernabeu.

A quick look at the stats reveals that Madrid's top scorers are Ronaldo and Higuain with 42 between them in the league this season. Barcelona's top two are Messi and Ibrahimovic with 41. Without the Swede, Barcelona may rely too heavily on Messi, and for once the expectation may be too much for the little wizard.

One thing must be certain: Barcelona will not put this team to the sword as easily as they did last year. The Bernabeu has been a fortress this season. Los Blancos have played fifteen matches and won them all, scoring 50 and conceding 13. It is a massive task, even for the best team in the world.

But, with Leo Messi on such ridiculous form, anything is possible. Containing him is one thing. Stopping him is something else entirely.

All the signs point to a draw, but don't you think for a second both teams won't be going all out for the win.