What happened in similar Clásico situations

With just four matches to go, and four points separating the top two teams, there is a lot hanging on the outcome of Sunday's Clásico at the Estadi Olimpic (4.15pm CEST). It's not the first time this kind of thing has happened, with Barça top of the table but facing a Real Madrid side that is hot on their heels with just a few games left to play.

So how did things work out in the past? Let's take a look and see.

6-2 at the Bernabéu

The most similar case was one that went down in Barça folklore, the famous 6-2 win at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2008/09. It happened a week earlier than this year's game but the difference of four points was identical. And although Madrid scored first, the side coached by Pep Guardiola went on to record a huge victory that as good as settled the league title.

Eight out of eight

In fact, of the last eight times when Barça have led the league and hosted Real Madrid in one of the last ten games, they have ALWAYS gone on to lift the trophy, and that's regardless of how the game with Madrid actually ended. It happened all three times that Barça won (97/98, 08/09 and 14/15), all three times they drew (05/06, 10/11 and 17/18) and also the two times when Barça lost the Clásico (04/05 and 15/16). So whatever happens this Sunday, the history books tell us that Barça will have good reason to feel optimistic.

Not since 1981/82 have things not turned out quite so well. There were four points between the two when they met, although Madrid were third behind Real Sociedad in a very tight race. The all-whites beat Barça 3-1 at the Bernabéu but neither of them would go on to win the trophy. That honour was taken by the Basques.

It's not been a great week at Barça following the cruel defeat in Milan. But what better way to put a smile back on everyone's faces than by beating Real Madrid and moving to within touching distance of completing the league and cup double?