Not a Mashemeji Derby, but decent enough: El Clasico is Barca's last chance to save the season

Gor Mahia vs AFC Leopards.

PSG vs Olympique Lyon.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona.

As you can see, Sunday is the day of those great rivalries and unforgettable encounters between the archrivals both in Kenya and worldwide.

In all three of those games, the hosts are favourites to celebrate a victory and thus cement their lead and the title credentials.

The most attractive will be El Clasico, the battle between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

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It comes at a very specific moment for both of these sides, as the Royals are not only eight points clear of the Blaugrana at the La Liga summit but have also successfully overcome Manchester City to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

On the other hand, Barcelona were eliminated at the hands of PSG, despite being in front for most of this two-leg tie.

Therefore, the Sunday clash could be their last chance to save the season, especially if they manage to beat the nemesis at their ground. That will seize the gap between the two to just five points ahead of the final six rounds.

"Real Madrid had to defend against City, who are the best team in the world today. They had to defend, and they defended very well. These are situations that you have to master and you also know how to do it," said Xavi ahead of El Clasico.

"In the first two matches against us, they did well. They have potential, they know how to attack and make transitions."

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Barcelona's Champions League exit has seemed to kill off any motivation from club bosses to convince Xavi to reverse his decision to step down as head coach at the end of the season, and there has even been talk that he could leave as early as next week.

However, he has now perhaps offered a glimmer of hope that he could be convinced to stay.

"There is no meeting (about my future) next week. Nobody has called me. But the important thing is the club, not me. And now we are playing for La Liga. There will be time to talk about whether it should be talked about."

Meanwhile, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Eder Militao is ready to start against Barcelona, should he be called upon.

"He could be a starter. He needs minutes, and he's ready. He's looking forward to playing. He may be an option for us."

Militao has competition for the position, with Nacho Fernandez - who was excellent against Manchester City on Wednesday - and Aurelien Tchouameni being the other candidates to start alongside Antonio Rudiger.

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Ancelotti also spoke on Federico Valverde, who has been ever-present for Real Madrid this season and will continue to do so when El Clasico rolls around on Sunday.

"He's always been very good on the pitch. He's helped the team a lot. He's strict and that's why I put him in. He contributes as a winger, as a pivot, in another line. He's irreplaceable for me."

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 32

Friday

Ath.Bilbao - Granada 1-1 (1-1)

/Guruzeta 24 - I. Williams 6 og/

Saturday

Celta - Las Palmas 4-1 (2-1)

/Aspas 31, 76, Swedberg 39, Douvikas 71 - Herzog 11/

Rayo Vallecano - Osasuna 2-1 (0-1)

/Chavarria 80, Palazon 84 - Gomez 29/

Valencia - Betis 1-1 (0-1)

/Pepelu 66 pen - Perez 19/

Girona - Cadiz 4-1 (2-0)

/Garcia 9, Martin 22, Dovbyk 71, Portu 82 - Escalante 81/

Sunday

15:00: (3.60) Getafe (3.15) Sociedad (2.20)

17:15: (3.30) Almeria (3.50) Villareal (2.15)

19:30: (4.00) Alaves (3.35) Atl.Madrid (1.98)

22:00: (1.95) Real Madrid (3.70) Barcelona (4.10)

Monday

22:00: (2.00) Sevilla (3.05) Mallorca (3.90)

***odds are subject to change***