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El Clasico is hands down the biggest football match in the world. Barcelona and Real Madrid are by far the two biggest and most popular clubs in Europe, having a combined 90 million fans just on the continent. Besides, Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid are the two most popular and idolised football players in the world.

As if all this were not enough, Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho are the two managers of the moment. The Barcelona manager took the football world by storm, winning the sextuplet in his first season and winning eight trophies out of 10 in his short managerial career. On the other hand, Mourinho is regarded by many as the best manager in the world today since he has succeeded everywhere he managed. Last season, he led Inter Milan to the Champions League title, narrowly edging Guardiola's Dream Team in a classic semifinal tie. Mourinho's presence will bring even more media attention to this year's Clasico.

Given all this, it's safe to assume that, even though it will be played on a Monday, the whole football world will be watching the Clasico. On display will be the two biggest clubs in Europe, the best players in the world that includes several world champions as well as nominees for the 2009 Ballon d'Or, two of the best managers in the world and arguably the two strongest squads in Europe right now.

Real Madrid have started the season in great form. Mourinho had an immediate impact on the team and Los Blancos currently lead the table with 32 points from 10 wins and two draws. Some of these victories have been hard-fought, but it's the points that count.

As for Barcelona, they didn't start the season very well, especially at home. Their shocking defeat to Hercules and draw to Mallorca mean that the blaugrana currently sit in second place with 31 points, one point behind their eternal rivals. Still, Barcelona eventually found their form and have been unplayable of late. Just Saturday, they annihilated Almeria, 8-0, on the road with absolutely stunning football.

The following are six reasons why Barcelona are favorites for the Clasico. This doesn't mean, of course, that Barcelona are guaranteed to win. Everything can happen in a Clasico; logic is simply irrelevant.

The only guarantee is that the outcome of the Classico, important as it will be, will not determine the outcome of the league just yet since: