Barça wary of 'clásico' predictions

Deco's assessment
"We have some great players and we are more united, so our chances of winning are greater," Deco announced as the pre-match build-up took hold across the country's media. "There is no area in which they are stronger than us. We have as many great players as them and, perhaps, our squad is more evenly balanced."

Impressive run
The Catalan team travel to the capital on the back of five consecutive victories in all competitions, a run that has taken them to within two points of league leaders CA Osasuna and into the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. However, the Camp Nou outfit remember only too well that they went into the same fixture last season in fine form and were convincingly beaten 4-2. "Barça lost the game when we were not expecting to," Deco continued. "We know that anything can happen in these games. This year we are better prepared."

Rijkaard edgy
Rijkaard, who guided Barça to the Spanish title last season, is unhappy with the press coverage that suggests the Blaugrana are favourites to win the encounter and sought to play down his team's chances. "I'm a little upset about some of the media who are only talking about a Barcelona victory," the Dutch coach said. "Historically, it is a very difficult ground for us to play at."

Eto'o reception
Samuel Eto'o can expect a rough ride from the home fans after his anti-Madrid chant during Barcelona's title celebrations at the end of last season. "He will get whistled a lot," Madrid defender Iván Helguera said. "In fact, he'll get the same reception that [Luís] Figo got at the Camp Nou. Saying that, I don't think he'll get a pig's head thrown at him!"

Injury worries
Barça travel to Madrid without Mark van Bommel who is ruled out having suffered an ankle injury while on international duty with the Netherlands last week, and Juliano Belletti has also failed to recover from his own ankle problem. Meanwhile, Vanderlei Luexmburgo should be boosted by the returns of Helguera, Zinedine Zidane, Julio Baptista and Ronaldo.

'Feeling good'
The latter cannot wait to get back in action having been out since last month with an ankle injury. The Brazil striker, who has just taken Spanish citizenship, said: "We're going for the three points. I'm feeling good." David Beckham is also fit despite suffering a twinge in his back in training yesterday, although fellow midfielder Guti pulled a thigh muscle in training on Friday which could keep him out for three weeks.

'We will win'
"We all want to play in this game and I am no different," said Baptista, who has also been out since mid-October with a knee injury. "We will win, nobody doubts that, we are going to win I am sure. But there are no favourites and in these games anything can happen."