Barcelona's sixth game of the season against Real Madrid comes on the back of Tuesday's defeat in the Spanish Cup semifinal, but it also marks the biggest ever difference between the two teams ahead of a game at the Bernabeu, with Barca sitting 16 points ahead of their hosts, who are third in the table.
.
The largest difference up until now had been the 13 point gap between the two in the 1990/91 season, when a win was still only worth two points.
.
That game, which Madrid won 1-0, occurred towards the end of the season, week 38 - whereas this year's game is being played in week 26- and Johan Cruyff's Dream Team had already sealed the first of what was to be a run of four league titles.
.
That defeat meant that Barca left the Bernabeu with an 11 point lead - equalling the largest lead previously set in the 1973/74 season after the historic 0-5 win, but whatever happens on Saturday, this season's side will set a new record - if they lose, they'll have a 13 point lead, if they draw it'll stay at 16 and if they win, it'll stretch to 19.
.
Over the last few years, Barca have come into the game at the Bernabeu with a lead – in fact only twice in the last ten years have Madrid kicked off against Barca at the Bernabeu ahead on points –in the 2007/08 and 2011/12 seasons.
.
Meanwhile, midfeilder Andres Iniesta is confident that Barca can bounce back on Saturday; "We have to think about what we didn't do right and what we have to improve,"
i can wait to watch the match.
that doesn't mean they'll win the game today