Barca brace for Real test

The Catalans have scored 18 goals and conceded just one in their last five matches in all competitions, while an injury-plagued Real have ground out two efficient but unimpressive victories in the league.

Rijkaard said that Real were under greater pressure to win the game. 8220;Real are only a point behind us but they will be under a lot of pressure because they will want to put in a convincing performance in Front of their own fans. For them it will be a very important game.8221;

Barca8217;s only absentee is midfielder Mark van Bommel, who damaged ankle ligaments while training with the Netherlands last week.

Real, who won 4-2 the last time the sides met at the Bernabeu, have a lengthy list of players on the treatment table, including Ronaldo, Zidane, Julio Baptista, Ivan Helguera, Jonathan Woodgate and Thomas Gravesen.

The club is confident that Zidane will be ready to play on Saturday while Ronaldo also looks to be making good progress.