Clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona are rarely short on drama and Saturday's La Liga Clasico may have more than its usual share with Luis Suarez poised to return from a biting ban and Barca team-mate Lionel Messi on the brink of equalling the top-flight scoring record.

Watched by millions around the world, meetings between the European heavyweights have, over the years, showcased the spectacular talents of the game's best, while occasionally being marred by ugly controversy.

The matches are also played out against the background of national politics and the latest edition has an added edge given the ongoing battle between the central government in Madrid and the Catalan administration in Barcelona over the region's independence drive.

It is not for nothing that a recent book chronicling the Real-Barca rivalry by Spanish football specialist Sid Lowe was entitled 'Fear and Loathing in La Liga'.

(uk.eurosport.yahoo.com)

Bakudaily.Az