Purists will be hoping for less of this sort of drama

It is a game like no other on the planet. A game steeped in history, politics, murder, betrayal, tyranny and communion spirit.

If you have found your way onto this page, then you will already be aware of the dynamics that shape Real Madrid v Barcelona. The persecution of Barcelona by the Madrid-favouring General Franco and the Catalunya separatism from the rest of Spain that is trying to be pushed towards an official status.

There is so much bad feeling between these two clubs, from the players, to the fans, going right to the top of the hierarchy, with Florentino Perez dislike for their rivals well known. It is how it is, how it has always been, and no doubt how it will be for many years to come.

This is the beauty of Real v Barca. It is why hundreds of thousands of people tune in from all over the world to watch these two heavyweights battle it out in the grandest arenas of them all. Only the Champions League Final will get more viewers.

Usually a bi-annual affair, the bad blood between these two sides has been elevated over the course of last season, due to the two sides clashing on five occasions, with La Primera, Copa Del Rey and Champions League being the platforms for this incredible sporting rivalry.

When familiarity breeds contempt, it is best not to have a deep hatred for one another already.

Whilst the Copa Del Rey final win will have eased their suffering slightly, you have to go back to May 2008 to find a Real Madrid win over their foes. This is why the managerial merry-go-round has been in full swing at Santiago Bernabeu in those years, as failure to beat Barca will cost you the title and your job.

In those three years, Barca have dominated La Liga, while picking up two Champions league titles in the process, with last years success coming at the expense of Real in the semi-finals.

But this year feels different. Real sit top of the league for the first time coming into this match for three years, holding a three point lead over their rivals, having played a game less.

For once, there is optimism coming into this game for Los Blancos, as opposed to the blatant defeatism that has accompanied these games previously, knowing Barca are streets ahead of them and any result will prove futile come the end of the season.

In many ways, Real actually come into this game as favourites. Barca’s form away from the Nou Camp has been rotten so far, having only chalked up two victories from their six games on the road, with the latest seeing them fall to defeat in Madrid, at the hands of lowly Getafe.

Real on the other hand have an imperious home record, having won all six games played at the Bernabeu this season, at a scoreline of 28-7. And there are some things to make up for since they last savoured league success against the Catalunya outfit.

May 2009 saw the humbling at the Bernabeu, as Barca wrapped up league success on their way to an unprecedented treble by hammering Real 6-2 on their own soil. Last year’s humiliation at the Nou Camp is fresher in the mind, as Barca romped to a 5-0 win to leave Jose Mourinho speechless. And that is some feat.

But the tide is turning. Real look imperious in front of goal, with a team full of stars on top of their game. Angel Di Maria has been in incredible creative form, setting up an incredible 11 goals for the team, five more than anyone else in the division, while also finding time to score a few himself.

Backed up by the study figures of Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso and the creative genius of Mesut Ozil, Mourinho’s midfield has come together to form a relentless seal around the vast majority of their competitors, with the exception of course, of Levante.

Ahead of them, things only look worse for a rival team. Cristiano Ronaldo has carried on from his 40-goal haul last season by bagging 17 in the opening 14 matches of the Liga campaign, ably aided and abetted by Gonzalo Higuain, who has notched 12 goals following his injury hit campaign.

I have discussed previously this season the triumvirate factor in the success of these two clubs, and how that has shifted in favour of the capital club. Barca on the other hand, have relied heavily on Lionel Messi, with the Argentinean leading the way with both goals and assists for the club.

Alexis Sanchez has shown glimpses over the past week of why Barca tried to so hard to land him over the summer, which could be a factor if he has been dismissed as any kind of threat.

But for the first time in three years, Barca come into this game under pressure. While previously it has been a case that a win would almost guarantee them the title, with a loss not being pivotal to proceedings.

Now they come to the Bernabeu knowing that even a draw leaves them badly trailing their rivals going into 2012. A loss all but leaves Real with an easy coast through the second half of the season to retaking the crown from their rivals, barring a complete calamity.

The shoe is on the other foot now. Real are the dominant ones once more and it is Barca who need the points to give them hope of usurping them again. The pressure is on for Barca and Pep Guardiola.

El Clasico is rarely an easy tie for either side. For Barcelona, their poor start to the season has made this an even harder match. For Real, this has become the perfect opportunity to rubber stamp their return to the throne.

It’s going to be a fascinating tussle once again. It is not to be missed.