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Barca and Madrid renew title battle on Sunday

Xinhua, April 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid renew their battle for the Spanish BBVA Primera Liga title on Sunday two weeks after Barca defeated their main rivals in the 'Clasico'.

That 2-1 win allowed Barca to open up a four point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table and Luis Enrique's side will defend that lead away to Celta Vigo on Sunday night.

The game will mean a return to the ground where Luis Enrique coached last season and also sees Barca face a side that produced one of the surprises of the season when they won in the Camp Nou earlier in the campaign.

Leo Messi has been the main headline maker for Barca during the week as an inflamed right foot kept him out of Argentina's two friendly games and made his a doubt for the trip. However, on returning to Spain the injury appears to have cleared up and Messi has been cleared to play after training on Thursday and Friday with apparent normality.

Sergio Busquets is also fit for Barca after recovering from an ankle injury which saw him miss the Clasico and the midfielder got some minutes under his belt on international duty with Spain.

Elsewhere Barca will be at full strength as Javier Mascherano returns to defensive duties alongside Gerard Pique.

When Barca kick off their match they could find themselves just one point ahead of Real Madrid who have a midday kick off at home to Granada.

With Granada struggling to avoid relegation it should be a straightforward win for Madrid who put four goals past Sunday's rivals earlier in the season.

The good news for Carlo Ancelotti's men is the return of James Rodriguez after two months out with an ankle injury and James looks likely to go straight into the side for Isco. Meanwhile Gareth Bale will be looking to reproduce the form he showed with Wales a week ago.

Bale has been under pressure from Madrid fans after some indifferent displays, but without the pressure of the Bernabeu, the demands of Ronaldo and a free role leading his country's attack, he was back to his best for Wales in Israel and will be looking to reproduce that form in front of what is certain to be a full house on a holiday Sunday. Endit