Barcelona star says his side are favourites to beat Real Madrid
Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez claims that his side are favourites to win the El Clasico clash with Real Madrid on Monday 29 November at the Camp Nou.
The fixture is one of the most hotly anticipated of the football calender each season, and the first encounter of this campaign carries added importance as the Spanish giants are separated by just one point at the summit of La Liga.
Both clubs have been keen to downplay the significance of the match in the title race, but each team is desperate to win and move ahead of the opposition in the table.
2010 FIFA World Cup winner Xavi says that his side will be going into the game full of confidence after a 3-0 win over Panathinakos in the UEFA Champions League to confirm their place as group winners, and added that he and his team-mates will use home advantage
to grab victory.
He told Spanish website Sport.es: "The whole team played well (in Athens). We felt good on the field, which was a fairly large pitch, but it was not in perfect condition.
"In this (El Clasico) game Barcelona are favourites. We play at home, we are in very good shape and have a burning desire to win."
If Barca are to pick up all three pints, they will have to do so against a Madrid side who are unbeaten under head coach Jose Mourinho this season.
Madrid have won 10 and drawn two of their Primera Division games this term to lead their Catalan rivals by a single point. However, Barca won both of the League encounters between the clubs last season, winning 1-0 at Camp Nou on 29 November 2009 and 2-0
at the Bernabeu on 10 April.
Tags: