It is time again for one of the most historic and passionate derbies in world football as Barcelona make the trip to the Bernabeau to take in Real Madrid in La Liga.

With just four points separating Barca at the top and Madrid in 2nd then we are likely to see all of the aggression and quality that this match up can bring to the football table.

Religion and history have marked this match for the history of the derby so there is also an added spice for the fans. Barca may have one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League return leg against Chelsea and therefore it could be the perfect time for Madrid to cash in and get vital points back on the board.

Madrid will be relying on their passion and team spirit to get them through this one as Barca arguably have the edge in terms of quality within their squad. The only injury for Barca is the loss of defender Rafael Marquez who went off with a knee problem in the 0-0 draw with Chelsea.

Madrid will be drawing on all of their experience and will look for a big performance from Raul. Whether or not their manager, Juande Ramos, decides to bring back Arjen Robben after a spell out of the side remains to be seen but his inclusion will not doubt add the smallest amount of fear into the Barcelona full backs.

Madrid will have to counter the influence of Xavi and Yaya Toure in the middle of the pitch if they are to impose themselves on this game. This is without mentioning Barca’s attacking line up of Theirry Henry, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o. However, Barcelona manager, Guardiola, may decide to rest one or two with Europe in mind. Bojan may well get a start, which will suit the Madrid defence regardless of his potential, and ability.

No doubt the home support for Madrid will be a big factor. Barca have what it takes to easily boss this game in the same manner as they did against Chelsea. However, Madrid will be lifted by the fact that they don’t really have any right to be in the position they are having looked out of the title race at the turn of the year.

A victory for Madrid will put them within another victory of gaining top spot from Barca and every single Madrid fan will be taking this one as passionately and importantly as any other El Classico match in recent times. Bookings are guaranteed but hopefully goals will be the talking point and not injuries or gamesmanship.

This arguably the best Barcelona side there has ever been but the fact this match is in between their European campaign could prove the difference. Barca may have the edge in terms of man-to-man match ups but with such an important trip to London this week it will be easy for them to take their eye off the ball and allow Madrid in for what could be a decisive victory.

After battling out for a 0-0 draw last night at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Chelsea will take a slight subconscious advantage into the return leg of their Champions League semi-final.

In one of the most entertaining goalless draws that are ever likely to be seen, Chelsea played magnificently as they endured a Barcelona onslaught from start to finish. Theirry Henry was the most noticeable of the Barcelona players as the rest of his teammates were kept admirably quite by the entire Chelsea side.

Guus Hiddink’s men could even have stolen a one-goal advantage as Didier Drogba had clear chances to score, only to be denied by the tactical positioning of Barca keeper, Victor Valdes.

Chelsea will be buoyed by the fact they became the first team this season to go the Nou Camp and come away with a clean sheet still in tact, everyone else who has been there has been pretty much ripped apart.

Chelsea would have liked the away goal but they can now switch the pressure on Barcelona who will be disappointed not to take anything to Stamford Bridge when the teams meet for the second leg in a week’s time.

The match delivered everything that it was expected to deliver; passion, aggression and some Oscar award winning play-acting. Chelsea must be credited for a disciplined performance when they could easily have been over run and conceded more than just a single goal. If Barca had been 3-0 up at half time then not many would have complained.

Hiddink’s tactics can be marginally criticised but there is no dancing around the fact that his team got the job done. True enough they did not score themselves but the succeeded in keeping out one of the most talented attacks at the other end.

The draw allows Chelsea to go into the second leg in London with a more expansive attitude. They have played their disciplined performance to keep things level for when they unleash the atmosphere of Stamford Bridge.

Barcelona also picked up a key injury when defender Rafael Marquez pulled up with not a single person near him before hobbling off with what looked like an intensely painful knee injury. Josep Guardiola will no doubt have a headache or two over which tactics to deploy in West London but his side showed last night the dominance over a game they are capable of.

This game could well go right down to the wire. Barca are not going to go to West London and park the bus in front of goal the entire night and neither will Chelsea. If Chelsea play with half the discipline and passion that each of their players showed last night then they could well run away with the tie.

However, the match showed why Barca are touted as European favourites. If Chelsea have an off night in the return leg then it could well be a cricket score victory for the Spanish side.

One thing is for certain, we are in for a special game this time next week.