Focus on: El Clasico

El Clasico is one of the world’s most watched matches. It generates tremendous response not only in Europe, but also in Asia and the Americas. It is not surprising at all given that this edition of El Clasico will be featuring all the three players nominated for the Ballon d’Or award – Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, and Lionel Messi.

Barcelona managed to edge out Real Madrid earlier in the season when both teams came together in the Super Cup, but the El Clasico will probably be the most anticipated match. Tensions will be running high teams because this is the first time Real Madrid go with the lead over Barcelona for more than five years.

To make matters even worse, it is the first time Real Madrid have enjoyed a six-point advantage at the top of the table for more than five years. Hence, Jose Mourinho will be keen to maintain their advantage at the end of the match as well. In the previous seasons, this fixture has been extremely forgetful for Real Madrid, as they have ended up losing by more than five goals in the past. Even though it has not happened during the numerous times El Clasico has happened, the last few years has been favourable for Barcelona. José Mourinho will be more than happy with the repeat of the El Clasico that happened in April when Real Madrid managed to come out if this fixture with a 1-1 draw.

This would mean that Real Madrid retain the six-point advantage, which lacks significant after the Barcelona’s loss to Getafe last weekend. Both teams will also be playing in the Champions League group stage matches, although that would account little to the El Clasico given that both teams have qualified from the group stages in style, as the winners.

England Live on ITV

England fans are in for a treat this weekend, with the team’s international friendly match against the current World and European champions Spain live on terrestrial TV.  ITV1 will be showing the match live and uninteruptted from 17:00 GMT, with kick-off taking place at 17:15.

It should be quite an exciting match, with both sides hopefully taking an attacking mentality into the game.  Both teams have qualified for the Euro 2012 Finals in Poland-Ukraine so tomorrow nights game should offer up an opprtunity for some of the fringe and younger players to be given their chance to impress.

Whilst Spain have a relatively young side to start with, with the likes of Mata, Torres, Calorza, Fabregas and Pique all firmly embedded into the first team, they will be offering chances to the up-and-coming stars such as Pablo Alcantra, who was the star of the Spain U21s most recent victorious campaign.

England will be using the occassion to test the mettle of a number of youngsters, with midfielder Jack Rodwell and striker Daniel Sturridge both set to win the first caps for their country.  Throw Manchester United’s Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Danny Welbeck into the mix, and you suddenly have a first-team that could have just a few players in who are over 24 year old – and a team for the future!

England will be hoping to get a confidence-boosting win under their belts ahead of their clash against Sweden in midweek, whilst Spain will be hoping to prove that even away from home they have the class and ability to win.  Spain are the obvious favourites at 1.85, and England can be backed at 4.65.