Barcelona playmaker Xavi has said his side have a big opportunity to go 11 points ahead of fierce rivals Real Madrid in Sunday's Clasico clash at Camp Nou.
The Blaugrana have taken a maximum 18 points from their opening six matches, while Madrid lie eight points adrift, after picking up only four points in their first four fixtures.
"It would be a very important victory, which would calm nerves and leave our main rivals 11 points behind us," the Catalan midfielder told reporters.
"It's a big opportunity but nothing decisive. There's still plenty of life left in the league whatever happens.
"We'll try to enjoy it and make the public enjoyit too. We're arriving in good shape, despite [Carles] Puyol's injury."
Barca's captain will miss the tie on Sunday after suffering a dislocated elbow in Tuesday's Champions League victory over Benfica, and is now set to spend two months on the sidelines.