El Clasico: 5 reasons why Real Madrid will beat Barcelona

After almost half a year of waiting, football fans across the globe will once more feel the joy of watching the most intense football rivalry of the past years. Barça against Real, Messi against Ronaldo, Spanish champions against European champions or simply put - El Clasico.

Despite Barcelona romping their way to this season's La Liga championship, the Spanish top flight provides us with one more highlight before we are sent into the dire summer months of having to live without first-class European football.

While this El Clasico, unlike many of the teams' duels in the past, doesn't enjoy title-winning importance, it is still a game that neither team wants to lose. Bragging rights between these two fanbases are probably considered the most important outside of local derbies and neither team can afford defeat.

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Due to their poor domestic performances, coupled with a pair of draining Champions League matches against Bayern Munich, Real Madrid are entering the Camp Nou as the underdogs this time around.

However, this status may be unbefitting of Zinedine Zidane's highly motivated Galacticos, as we look at five reasons why Real Madrid will be victorious in the 238th El Clasico.

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#5 Underdog status

Ramos' team has failed to live up to expectations this season

While Real Madrid are unfamiliar with being the 'underdogs' and would certainly not class themselves as such, it could ease the pressure on the Champions League finalists. Los Blancos have no pressure to get a result at Camp Nou and that's what makes them so dangerous.

While bragging rights are not to be underestimated between these two teams, Real Madrid have the Champions League final to look forward to should things go wrong in Barcelona.

Zidane's men tend to find an extra gear when facing adversity and it would not be surprising to see several players put in man-of-the-match performances in their attempt to prove their doubters wrong.

Madrid have been difficult to watch at times this season, but their Champions League showings have proven that they undoubtedly still have the quality to compete with the best. The fact that their chances in El Clasico are rated lowly will just add fuel to the fire.

#4 Guard of honour dispute

Real Madrid will not follow Deportivo La Coruna's example

Probably one of the most heated debates prior to tonight's contest evolved around whether Real Madrid should perform the 'guard of honour' for the new Spanish champions. However, what has become a custom in many of Europe's top leagues will not be seen at the Camp Nou.

Towards Spanish football magazine Marca, Zidane only recently confirmed that his side will not give a guard of honour. However, he did add that it was not due to lack of respect, but due to the Catalan side's failure to do the same for Real Madrid after they won the FIFA Club World Cup:

"I'm not the one who decides that I don't want to give a guard of honour, they didn't do one. With respect, we won't do it because they didn't do it. What's most important is that we respect what Barcelona have done, winning the league is the most beautiful and difficult thing for me." - Zinedine Zidane

When confronted with Zidane's stance, Barcelona's Gerard Pique sarcasticly replied, that he "is not going to sleep" because of this.

No matter how you twist and turn this affair, neither side helped their reputation during this seemingly endless argument that questioned the respect the teams have for each other. For Real Madrid this has to be an added incentive to come to Barcelona with all guns blazing.

Should Los Blancos underperform, it could make them look ridiculous under the light of this discussion. Therefore, we can expect a strong showing from a team desperate to prove to the world, that they are still the best team in Spain.

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo's league form

Ronaldo is unstoppable in La Liga

It wouldn't be an article about Real Madrid winning El Clasico without adding Cristiano Ronaldo to the list. Love him or hate him, the Portuguese hitman turns up in these big games and he could once more be the centre of attention.

While the forward arguably went missing in Los Blancos' semi-final tie with German champions Bayern Munich, his current league form is what should truly worry Barcelona's defense.

Ronaldo has scored 20 goals in his last eleven league appearances, without any signs of stopping. It is safe to say that the Portuguese has put the poor start to the season behind him and has finally come into his own again for Zidane's team.

In addition to this, he has been rested in three of Madrid's last five league ties, meaning that he should still be fresh enough to wreak havoc in the Catalans' half. Ronaldo is destined to have a strong showing tonight, automatically increasing his team's chances of leaving Camp Nou with three points in the bag.

#2 Competition for first-team spots

Gareth Bale is one of many superstars fighting for a spot in the Champions League final

Admittedly, this is a double-edged sword, as rotations prior to such a huge match are often regarded critically. However, for Real Madrid this makes perfect sense.

With many superstars sat on the sidelines waiting for their chances, a stand-out performance against the champions could significantly increase their chances of starting in Kiev come May 26th.

Being able to leave the likes of Gareth Bale, Casemiro and Isco on the sidelines is a luxury that almost no other team in Europe can afford. With the ambitions of the players lying in first-team football, each of them will be eager to impress Zidane and boost their chances.

Having a tough match against Bayern last Tuesday could be viewed as a disadvantage, but advancing to the final is the best that could have happened to lift the entire mood at the club. With such a plethora of talent at his disposal, Zidane's toughest task will be selecting the eleven men that he feels will do the job.

#1 Ending Barcelona's unbeaten run

It's been all smiles for Messi and co. this season

By far the best motivation you can give any Madrid player before walking onto the pitch - they have the opportunity of spoiling Barcelona's 'invicible' season. Even more so, considering that they are the last real challenge the Catalans must face this season.

If Barcelona don't go in the lead early, not wanting to lose could significantly influence their performance. The Blaugrana are at their best when they can play free-flowing attacking football. Should the fear of defeat come across their minds during the match, it could spell their downfall.

Real, on the other hand, will not want to see Messi and his teammates celebrating an unbeaten season. In a frankly dismal campaign, it is the Galaticos' last chance at salvaging something from a season to forget.

There are only two games that really matter before a potential revamp in the summer. The Champions League final in Kiev and tonight's El Clasico and, knowing Ramos, Ronaldo and co., spoiling a Catalan party will be at the very top of their priority list.