Clasico countdown: The last ten encounters between Real Madrid and Barcelona - in pictures

Spanish giants building up to critical La Liga showdown in Madrid

Barcelona's Gavi celebrates their 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first leg win against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on March 2, 2023. Reuters

Barca's Raphinha celebrates with the Spanish Super Cup after their 3-1 victory against Real at King Fahd International Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Getty

Karim Benzema celebrates with Federico Valverde, Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior after scoring in the 3-1 La Liga win against Barca at the Bernabeu on October 16, 2022. Getty

Barcelona's players celebrate their 4-0 La Liga win over Real at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 20, 2022. AFP

Real Madrid celebrate after their 3-2 Spanish Super Cup semi-final win against Barcelona on January 12, 2022, at the King Fahad International stadium in Riyadh. AFP

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos celebrates victory a 2-1 victory at the end of the clasico at Camp Nou on October 24, 2021. AFP

Real's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro receives a red card during the clasico on April 10, 2021, but Real still won the game 2-1. AFP

Lionel Messi and Barca were beaten 3-1 by Real at Camp Nou on October 24, 2020. EPA

Real Madrid players celebrate their win at the end of the clasico on March 1, 2020 - a game they won 2-0. AFP

Lionel Messi of Barcelona holds off Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid at Camp Nou on December 18, 2019. The La Liga encounter ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Getty

An Ivan Rakitic goal gave Barcelona a 1-0 La Liga win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on March 2, 2019. Getty

Luis Suarez scores Barca's third goal in a 3-0 second leg win at the Bernabeu on February 27, 2019 as Barcelona clinch a place in the final of the Copa del Rey. Getty

Brazilian midfielder Malcom celebrates after scoring in a 1-1 first leg semi-final draw of the Copa del Rey at Camp Nou on February 6, 2019. Getty

Arturo Vidal of Barcelona scores his side's fifth goal past Thibaut Courtois during a 5-1 La Liga win at Camp Nou on October 28, 2018. Getty

Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez scores against Real Madrid in a 2-2 La Liga draw at Camp Nou on May 6, 2018. AFP

Lionel Messi scored the second of Barcelona's three goals in a 3-0 La Liga win at the Bernabeu on December 23, 2017. Getty Images

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema scores the second goal during their 2-0 Spanish Super Cup final second leg win at the Bernabeu on August 16, 2017. Getty Images

Lionel Messi scores a penalty but can't prevent Barcelona losing the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid at Camp Nou 3-1 on August 13, 2017. Getty

El Clasico at the Bernabeu on Sunday could be pivotal in deciding one of the most fascinating La Liga title races for years.

There are only 13 games remaining in the season, and despite both sides looking unconvincing and weakened by injuries, Barcelona lead Real Madrid by two points at the top of the table.

Real, particularly, will need to overcome a poor run of form at home if they want to regain the title initiative.

They haven't won in three straight games in all competitions, losing 2-1 to Manchester City in the Champions League in midweek, held 2-2 by relegation-threatened Celta Vigo in the Spanish league and beaten 4-3 by Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey.

“We know it's a delicate moment, with three games without a victory in our stadium,” Real coach Zinedine Zidane said.

“But these things can happen, we have to stay positive. We will need our fans supporting us from the first minute to the last. I understand why they are upset, but we need them now. And they need us. We need to stick together.”

Real's form against Barcelona at home also is not good, with four straight league losses, and winless in seven consecutive games against Barca in all venues and competitions.

Barca coach Quique Setien tried to downplay Real's poor run, saying: “Madrid is always dangerous, playing at home or not.

"For Madrid this is a vital game, a lot more than it is for us, for sure. It’s a key match. If we win we open a five-point lead.”

Setien will also count on Lionel Messi, who will be playing in his 43rd clasico.

“I would love to see Messi play 43 other clasicos," Setién said. “He is a very important player and hopefully he will have a great match and help us win.”