Spain La Liga (Dec 22-23)

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Barcelona v Real Madrid Sunday 6pm Sky Sports 3

Finally, El Clasico comes to a screen near you, and Real Madrid are chalked up at 11/4 - talk about Christmas come early!

Barcelona simply can't be trusted to do the business against the old enemy - not in these circumstances anyway.

Okay, okay, so they've not lost at the Nou Camp this season in La Liga, winning eight out of eight and conceding just four goals in the process, but the hosts have plenty going against them too.

For example, top scorer Lionel Messi is out after injuring himself against Valencia, Thierry Henry is struggling for full fitness, and the rumours of dressing room unrest haven't disappeared either, which is also a worry.

Barca also looked less-than-convincing against Deportivo recently, where they had to come from a goal behind, so why would we want to back them against Madrid?

After all, Los Merengues have won four of their last five outings, and have averaged almost two goals-a-game on the road, so they'll be more than up for this massive fixture.

Back Real to silence the Nou Camp on Sunday.

Athletic Bilbao v Murcia Sunday 8pm Sky Sports 1

It's hard to imagine we'll have any energy left after all the derby action in Europe, and this fixture provides an opportunity for some down time.

Bilbao are notoriously lightweight at home, where they've drawn five of eight, whilst Murcia travel badly, having won just once on the road all season.

Logic therefore says the Basques, but we've been here before, and it makes sense to have a watching brief only here.

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