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5 reasons why Barcelona will win El Clasico

By Harry De Cosemo

Barcelona's players celebrate their 24th La Liga title at the end of the Spanish league football match Granada CF vs FC Barcelona at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada on May 14, 2016.Barcelona sealed their 24th La Liga title as Luis Suarez took his tally for the season to 59 goals with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win at Granada to hold off Real Madrid's late-season surge. / AFP / CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images)
Barcelona's players celebrate their 24th La Liga title at the end of the Spanish league football match Granada CF vs FC Barcelona at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada on May 14, 2016.Barcelona sealed their 24th La Liga title as Luis Suarez took his tally for the season to 59 goals with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win at Granada to hold off Real Madrid's late-season surge. / AFP / CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images) /
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SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 27: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and FC Barcelona at Estadio Anoeta on November 27, 2016 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 27: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and FC Barcelona at Estadio Anoeta on November 27, 2016 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

1.  A point to prove

A draw at the ‘cursed’ Anoeta against Real Sociedad leaves Barcelona six points behind their biggest rivals now. They have not won in San Sebastian for ten years and they were lucky to take a point in what was arguably their worst display under Luis Enrique.

Surprisingly, they struggled to keep the ball and looked toothless throughout. La Real were hungrier and looked fitter and leaner. It showed, and it wasn’t the only disappointing day this season, either.

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But that is the beauty of such a big game coming round so fast, because Barcelona have the chance to hit back at any critics immediately. Their recent record is favourable against Real, humiliating them at the Santiago Bernabeu 4-0 last season. The players will fear nothing but must perform to their optimum level.

Defeat in this game would leave Zinedine Zidane’s side nine points clear at the top as they prepare to head off to the FIFA Club World Cup in December. The pressure is on but it is nothing Barcelona haven’t handled before.

Despite Zidane appearing to be going strong, there are still doubts over his ability to lead Los Blancos long-term. Barcelona must begin to claw back the deficit if they are to make the former France maestro sweat, starting on Saturday.

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