Reuters

Spain’s “El Clasico” between Real Madrid and Barcelona is already one of the biggest club matches in world soccer, but has added significance this time with champions Real only four points behind leaders Barca.

Real host the Catalans at the Bernabeu on Saturday knowing victory will put them within one point of their arch rivals with four matches left, while Barca can take a huge step towards a first league triumph in three years.

“Winning the Clasico is the key,” former Real midfielder Zinedine Zidane said on Real’s Web site.

“Beating Barcelona would send a signal and create a great chance to be league champions,” he added. “If Real Madrid win everything will be different and the league can have a new frontrunner.”

Barca’s 2-0 victory at the Nou Camp in December, Juande Ramos’s league debut as Real coach, put them 12 points clear, but the champions then went on a stunning run of 17 wins and one draw in 18 matches to haul themselves into contention.

Real’s elimination from the Champions League and the King’s Cup has allowed them to concentrate fully on the Primera Liga, while Pep Guardiola’s side are still alive in all three competitions. The Clasico is sandwiched between Barcelona’s two-legged semi-final against Chelsea in Europe’s top club competition.