BBVA Primera Liga leaders Real Madrid and bitter rivals FC Barcelona play their matchday 12 league fixtures this Saturday, although both have potentially tricky matches this weekend, both play under the shadow of "El Classico".

The game everyone is waiting for, when Barcelona entertains Madrid in the Camp Nou, will be played on November 29 and already dominates the football headlines in Spain.

However, both sides need to ensure they do not make the mistake of looking too far ahead and slipping up this Saturday.

Barcelona will expect all three points against an Almeria side that was beaten by a nine-man Athletic Club Bilbao last weekend, but coach Pep Guardiola may be tempted to rest key players ahead of next week's Champions League tie in Greece and El Classico.

Leo Messi may start on the bench after playing for Argentina against Brazil in Qatar.

Real Madrid are also favorites to maintain a 100 percent home record against Athletic Club. Athletic is tough to beat at home, but appears to lack confidence away and has only one triumph away from the San Mames Stadium.

Madrid are at full strength, while Athletic have three players suspended, with midfielder Carlos Gurpegui the most important absentee.

The Basques will also be unhappy at the naming of Undiano Mallenco as referee for the encounter - they have won just three out of 20 matches under Undiano's direction and have never won away when he has refereed one of their games.

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