Real Madrid are preparing for this weekend's 'clasico' against Barcelona in the unusual position of underdogs at their own Bernabeu stadium as they bid to spoil their rivals progress towards the title.
With Barca enjoying a nine-point cushion at the top of the Primera Liga and only eight games left, even a draw would leave Real facing their second trophyless season in a row -- an embarrassing failure for a club striving to be the world's best.
"If we lose it will be practically impossible to win the league, although we will keep fighting until it is mathematically out of our reach," says Real skipper Raul.
"After this season, we want to give the fans something to celebrate and narrow the gap to add a bit of emotion to the title race. But even if we win Barca will still have the title within their grasp."
For Barcelona a victory in Madrid would confirm that they have finally emerged from the shadows after six years without any silverware to reclaim their dominant position in Spain.
"If we win the game, the league could be all over," says Barca midfielder Rafael Marquez. "It's a great opportunity for us and if we can win we can finally start thinking about the title."
On paper Frank Rijkaard's Barca team will start Sunday's game as marginal favourites.
They beat Real for the first time at the Bernabeu in six years at the end of last season and outclassed their rivals in their 3-0 victory at the Nou Camp in November, goals coming from Samuel Eto'o, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ronaldinho.
Eto'o, who moved to Barca at the start of the season after Real decided against using their option to buy him, has a stunning record against his former club.
PROLIFIC SEASON
He has scored five goals against Real in the league, including three in his last two visits to the Bernabeu with Real Mallorca, and is enjoying the most prolific season in his career with 21 goals to his name.
Although Barcelona were lucky to scramble a late 3-3 draw against high-flying Real Betis last time out, they have not lost in eight games and know a victory at the Bernabeu will allow them to start planning their title celebrations.
Real, on the other hand, have huffed and puffed to victory in their last two games as their struggle to score goals goes on. Ronaldo has just one strike in 11 outings and Raul has had one of his worst campaigns with just six goals all season.
The team's most effective striker Michael Owen, who has notched 10 league goals despite only making the starting lineup on 12 occasions, is still not guaranteed a starting place.
Real's much-vaunted midfield is also having problems. David Beckham, whose influence has waned, is struggling with back pain and a strained thigh muscle, Zinedine Zidane looks tired and Luis Figo has lost some of his sharpness of late.
But Real have the anility to raise their game for big matches and hope nerves might get the better of their opponents.
"After their (Barca's) draw last Sunday I think we can still win the league," says Real fullback Roberto Carlos. "We are going to keep the pressure on them right to the end."
Barcelona will have to make do without outstanding Portugal midfielder Deco, who is suspended, while Real centre back Walter Samuel and midfielder Guti find themselves in the same position.
Both teams are also waiting anxiously on the fitness of their captains.
Barca's inspirational centre back Carles Puyol faces a race against the clock to see if he can recover from an ankle strain, while Raul has been unable to train with the rest of the squad because of a bruised instep.
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