SPAIN LA LIGA: Real Madrid v Barcelona: Santiago Bernabeu Today - Kick-off: 7pm (Irish-time) Live on Sky Sports 3: REAL MADRID have closed to within four points of leaders Barcelona ahead of tonight's clash at the Bernabeu, but Barca defender Gerard Pique has dismissed media reports from the capital that the Catalans are beginning to feel the pressure.

Real Madrid's status as the club of choice for Spanish nationalists and Barcelona's role as a cultural and political symbol for Catalunya ensure 'El Clasico' is one of the most intensely disputed fixtures in world sport.

Much of Spain is expected to grind to a halt when the country's two biggest and richest clubs clash again with Real fans dreaming they can reduce the deficit on their bitter rivals.

"The country is paralysed. Shops are shuttered, the streets are empty. For 90 minutes the country only thinks about football," said Spanish radio journalist Maria Bretones yesterday.

However, Pique remains confident the leaders can more than meet the Real challenge.

"Here in Barcelona we don't know what all this stuff about being scared stiff is about. It motivates us more, every time we hear it," he said.

Pique and Carles Puyol are likely to pair up in the centre of defence with Rafael Marquez ruled out after a knee injury suffered during the midweek draw against Chelsea.

Former Arsenal Striker Thierry Henry is a doubt with a neck complaint from the Champions League game.

Spanish champions Real have been boosted by the return to training of Arjen Robben after his recovery from a calf strain and the Dutch winger could play a part in tonight's eagerly-awaited clash.

Gabriel Heinze is back after injury and will join Christoph Metzelder, in for the the suspended Pepe, in defence.

With Guti and Wesley Sneijder injured, Robben will compete with Rafael van der Vaart and Marcelo for a place in midfield.

Real Madrid's in-form captain Raul is confident that with five games remaining his side can pile the pressure on the leaders by triumphing at the Bernabeu.

Real have not lost a domestic fixture since a 2-0 defeat at the Camp Nou in the reverse fixture in December and Barca's 2-2 draw at Valencia last week allowed Juande Ramos's side to close the gap.

"We are playing in the Bernabeu and Madrid have to be the favourites - the atmosphere will help us," said Raul.

"This game is always special, but it is obvious we are playing for the title, which will make it even more special."

Real have been playing catch-up for most of the season as Barcelona have led La Liga for almost the entire campaign, scoring a remarkable 94 goals in their 33 games to date.

"If we win on Saturday then we will have a great chance of the title," added Raul. "But anything other than a victory would make things difficult for us.

"Barcelona have a great team. I know that teams are judged on trophies, but this is one of the best in their history."

Meanwhile Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi thinks victory for the Catalans would provide a timely boost ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday.

"Let's hope we can win in Madrid and that will be a big step toward winning the title," said Messi whose impressive form has already seen him bring his league goals tally to 20 this season.

"If we win, we'll be able to go to Chelsea next week feeling more relaxed.

"We are a very close-knit team and are all very motivated to win a title for Barca after two years without one."

The Top Two

Barcelona's remaining league fixtures

Today (a) v Real Madrid

Sun, May 10th (h) v Villarreal

Sun, May 17th (a) v Mallorca

Sun, May 24th (h) v Osasuna

Sun, May 31st (a) v Dep La Coruna

Real Madrid remaining league fixtures

Today (h) v Barcelona

Sat, May 9th (a) v Valencia

Sun, May 17th (a) v Villarreal

Sun, May 24th (h) v Mallorca

Sun, May 31st (a) v Osasuna